NEWS

By Tim Wilcox

The Giants (18-10) entered Saturday’s contest against the Thunderbolts (11-17) as one of the hottest teams in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. Gaithersburg was fresh off an 11-7 win over the South Division-leading Aces, in sole possession of first place in the North Division and winners of four straight games.

Playing on their home field, the Thunderbolts had the recipe to stop the Giants. After trading runs early in the game, Silver Spring-Takoma’s offense scored three runs in the sixth to pull away. Bryce Curry (Frederick CC) fueled the T-Bolts’ attack by reaching base in all four at bats and tallying one run and one RBI. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts’ bullpen threw four scoreless frames.

Each team started their offenses in the first inning. AJ Martin (Undecided) brought the first Giants run in on an RBI groundout and the T-Bolts tied the game on an RBI groundout by Steve Thomas (Catholic).

In the second, the Thunderbolts continued to tack on runs. With runners on the corners, Curry ripped an RBI single to right, marking his fourth-straight game with a hit.

Silver Spring-Takoma worked the bases loaded with two outs, and Ethan Warner (West Chester) scored on a wild pitch to give the T-Bolts a 3-1 lead.

Thunderbolts starter Todd Murphy (Frostburg State) delivered four scoreless innings against the Giants on June 28, and returned to form in the second and third. In the second time through the order, Murphy surrendered just one hit.

Facing Murphy for a third time, the top of the Giants order tallied back-to-back singles in the fifth inning. With two outs, Martin stepped to the plate, still searching to continue his 17-game hitting streak. During his at bat, both runners moved to scoring position on a wild pitch and Martin barreled a single up the middle to score both, stretching his streak to 18 games while tying the game 3-3.

The Thunderbolts hadn’t registered a hit since the second inning, but Warner ended the drought with an RBI triple in the sixth. The next batter, Curry, reached on an error and Warner touched home on the play, giving the T-Bolts a sudden 5-3 lead.

“[Warner] has been carrying us offensively and defensively in the catcher's spot,” Curry said. “Right after he got that hit, I was trying my best to get him in and trying to move the offense forward, just keep it moving, keep that momentum going after that.”

Silver Spring-Takoma extended the inning by drawing two-straight walks. With bases loaded, Curry ran home on a passed ball for the T-Bolts sixth run and third of the frame.

Gaithersburg threatened in the top of the seventh, getting two runners to scoring position, but Emilio Rodriguez (Wilson) recorded a gritty punch out.

Curry continued his strong day at the plate in the bottom of the inning. After Gabe Ruiz (UMBC) led off with a walk, Curry singled to get aboard for his fourth time in the contest. The ball was mishandled in the outfield and Ruiz hustled home to score, extending the Thunderbolts’ lead to 7-3.

Across the final two frames, Thunderbolts relievers Cristian Bonilla (Frostburg State) and Bobby Fleming (Brunswick CC) each threw perfect innings. The win marks the T-Bolts’ second in their last three games.

“Sticking to what we're best at, swinging at strikes and throwing strikes on the other end got us the win today,” Curry said.

The Giants host the Grays at Criswell Field Sunday while the Thunderbolts take on the Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium Sunday.