July 2008 Archives

Drewyer has a 4.34 ERA and leads all Thunderbolt relievers with 29 innings and 17 games pitched.

Here is the tenth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Austin Drewyer, a sophomore right handed pitcher at UMBC. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: Being able to pitch high competition night in and night out has allowed me to stay sharp and work on my game even after my college season.

COLLEGE PARK - - In a game that did not affect the playoff seedings, the 'Bolts fell to the College Park Bombers, 14-5.

The Bolts were guaranteed of a sixth seed spot before the first pitch at College Park, as the Rockville Express had forfeited Sunday's rained out game. Right fielder Mike Lang led off the game with a triple and scored on a Jeff Jones ground out. In the second, Heath Weatherford led off with a double and scored on an Alex Bechta ground out.

Weatherford was 2-2 on the day, as was Jabari Graham, and second baseman Matt Baden was 2-4 with 3 RBIs.

Starting pitcher Jeremy Zarou struggled for the 'Bolts. Zarou pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks. Dan Blewett, pitching his first game of the year, pitched a scoreless 1/3 of an inning in relief, and Sean Swetnam came in to pitch in the fourth. Swetnam pitched 4 innings, allowing 7 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.

Catcher Zach Feierstein pitched a perfect eighth, the second time he's pitched this season.

"It felt good," Feierstein said. "The last time I pitched [before this year] was probably when I was eight, but its fun. I was just trying to throw strikes, it was just fun to be out there."

Because it was the last regular season game of the year, we saw a player who hadn't played all year, the injured Blewett, and some players playing at new positions, Feierstein pitching and pitcher Dusty White hitting, striking out on a 2-2 curve ball.

"I was seeing it well," White said. "The fastball I was just a little late on, and then I had a feeling he was coming with the breakers, you know, they were a little on the outer half, but just couldn't pull the trigger it seemed like. I was really wanting the fastball again, but I guess he was a little scared of bringing it to me."

The 'Bolts play two win-or-go-home playoff games today in Bethesda at Shirley Povich Field. They play against Rockville at 4, and the winner plays College Park at 7:30.

"Well we play Rockville in the first game and they're obviously our rivals," Feierstein said. "They don't like us and we don't like them, so we're gonna use that and try to fuel our fire and just take it one game at a time."

Feierstein is only hitting .105 on the year, but has done a fantastic job handling the pitching staff.

Here is the ninth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Zack Feierstein, a sophomore catcher at La Salle. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: The Ripken League is one of the top leagues in the country according to some baseball sources and it has allowed me to play and watch high level competition, furthering my knowledge for the game.

SILVER SPRING - - In the first triple header in Cal Ripken League history, the Thunderbolts won two of the three games against the Maryland Redbirds, moving up to sixth place in the standings.

The first game started as a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, Jeff Jones led off with a double for the Thunderbolts. Mike Lang followed up with a bunt single down the third base line, which was thrown over the first baseman's head, scoring Jones to take the lead.

"All I was trying to do is get him over, that's all I'm supposed to do," Lang said. "I know you have to bunt to third with a guy on second so [the third baseman] charges in, and luckily I beat it out."

In the bottom half of the inning with runners on second and third and one out, Nick Wojnowski singled to right for the Redbirds. Adam Skonieczki scored to tie it up, and Tim Reeves, the potential winning run, attempted to score from second. Lang threw a bullet from right field, catching Reeves easily, and the game was still up for grabs.

"I was saying to the guys on the team when I came in," Lang said. "I fielded it normally, and it didn't feel like if I missed the throw that we would lose, even though I know we would've. I just felt really relaxed and just let it go."

In the bottom of the tenth, however, James Piazza hit a home run to left center field off of Jordan Cudney, winning the game for the Redbirds.

Conner, who had three hits, three runs and two RBIs, was the offensive star for the 'Bolts.

Yesterday at Bachman Park in Glen Burnie, Md., the Thunderbolts loss to the league-leading Youse's Maryland Orioles, 10-9.

Starter Ed Bach gave up four runs (three earned) in five innings for the Thunderbolts, but it was Billy Barber, who surrendered four runs in one and a third innings, who received the loss.

Brett Conner went 3-5 with three runs and two RBIs, and Jabari Graham and Gerardo Hernandez each got two hits and two RBIs. Heath Weatherford hit a two run triple (his second triple in as many days), and Alex Bechta and Matt Baden scored two runs each.

The 'Bolts play a tripleheader tonight, at home, against the Maryland Redbirds. The first game, which was suspended as a 3-3 tie in the eleventh inning, will start at 5. The other two games will be seven innings each.

Bechta is hitting .245, fifth on the team, and only has one error this season.

Here is the eighth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Alex Bechta, a sophomore outfielder at Lafayette. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as
a player?

A: Going to the field everyday and having the opportunity to play with dedicated coaches and players who are willing to share their knowledge has allowed me to learn a lot throughout the season.

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. That is catcher Gerardo Hernandez pitching a scoreless ninth.

SILVER SPRING - - In the first home game after the All-Star break, the 'Bolts struggled in all phases of the game and lost to the Herndon Braves 9-1.

Dusty White, the starting pitcher for the 'Bolts, pitched five innings, allowed four runs (three earned) and received the loss. Austin Drewyer gave up a two run home run to Sean Lamont in his one inning of work, and Sean Swetnam allowed three runs in his two innings (although he really settled down in the eighth, retiring the side and striking out two). The only Thunderbolt who pitched and did not allow a run was catcher Gerardo Hernandez, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

"It was fun," Hernandez said. "I was just trying to go out there and throw some strikes, and try to help the team. I felt good, I got three up, three down." Hernandez last pitched two years ago, for the Thunderbolts then as well.

Offensively, the Thunderbolts struggled all night, getting a total of six hits and one run. In the fourth inning with one out, Heath Weatherford hit a deep fly ball to center field that glanced off a diving Mycal Jones' glove into the outfield. Weatherford, heading into third, was sent home by coach Tim Bianchi, and was thrown out easily by the combined efforts of Jones and second baseman Alex Ferrara.

"It's an 120 yard sprint base to base, and I mean, I'm not the fastest person on the team," Weatherford joked. "I started running out of gas. I got tired, I didn't think I was going home, so I slowed up going to third and I got waved home."

Graham hit an RBI single to give the 'Bolts the lead.

Last night's game against the Bombers was suspended through three innings with the score 1-0 Thunderbolts. The 'Bolts scored the sole run in the third, when Brett Conner worked a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Jabari Graham RBI single to take the lead.

Wade Newman started the game for the 'Bolts, and was pitching a two hit shutout when the game was called.

Tonight, the 'Bolts play at home against the Herndon Braves. It is tie-dye shirt night, and everyone wearing a tie-dye shirt will get in for free. Game starts at 7, gates open at 6.

Baden is only hitting .057 this year, but is second only to Kendall Bolt among middle infielders with his .921 fielding percentage.

Here is the seventh part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Matt Baden, a sophomore infielder at St. Mary's College of Maryland. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: I've been able to learn a lot from the players on my team and from playing against good competition.

Cudney pitched a perfect fifth and earned the win for the West.

BETHESDA - - In a thriller to the end, the West All-Stars defeated the East All-Stars today at Shirley Povich Field, 8-5.

The West, made up of players from the Bethesda Big Train, the Alexandria Aces, the Herndon Braves and the Thunderbolts, played against the East, made up of players from Youse's Maryland Orioles, the Rockville Express, the College Park Bombers and the Maryland Redbirds. The game not only gave fans a chance to see the best talent the league has to offer, but also the players a chance to meet other players in the league.

"It was fun, hanging out with the guys from the other teams, getting to know them a little bit," Thunderbolts' pitcher Ed Bach said. "I was hoping I would get to play, but it was a real fun night, a real good time."

In the top of the second, Rockville right fielder Todd Eskelin got on first after an error by third baseman Michael Cipolla. Redbirds' designated hitter Tim Reeves singled him to third, and two batters later, Rockville catcher Kyle Obal singled him home. Obal was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double on a beam from Alexandria right fielder Tommy Grandieri.

The third inning is when the East did most of their damage. With one out, Redbirds' left fielder Adam Skonieczki singled and stole second. Orioles' shortstop Gerard Hall walked, and Bombers' star first baseman Mike Celenza singled in Skonieczki. Hall would score on a fielder's choice by Eskelin and Celenza would score on a single by Reeves, making the score 4-0 East.

Brouse, second in the league in home runs this year, stood alone as home run king at the derby.

BETHESDA - - The Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League 2008 home run derby ended up being a two-man show.

The Aces' Andrew Brouse and the Redbirds' Gavin Swanson went four rounds before Brouse was crowned the winner, with a total of eight home runs to Swanson's seven.

"I was trying to get it where it was pitched, wasn't trying to get it to right field or anything," Brouse said. "I was looking for a good inside fastball, you know, from the coach. The coach pitched phenomenally, it was just as much him as it was me. There's a lot of great hitters, so this is a huge honor, there are so many great hitters in this competition, and its great to come out on top."

The original field of eight had one representative from each team. Heath Weatherford hit for the Thunderbolts, but was knocked out after only hitting one in the first round.

"I couldn't get under it, and I didn't get a good swing on any of them," Weatherford said. "I was trying to hit it to left center, where the pull was, that's where my power is at, so that's where I was trying to go."

Cusick is 1-5 with a 5.49 ERA and 29 strikeouts in seven starts this year.

Here is the sixth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Paul Cusick, a sophomore right-handed pitcher at the University of Pennsylvania. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: The Cal Ripken League has given me an opportunity to work on my pitching during the summer months against college opponents which is a great opportunity.

Barber is hitting .227 this year and leads the team with four home runs. On the mound, he has a 2.79 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.

Here is the fifth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Billy Barber a sophomore first baseman and right-handed pitcher at the University of Richmond. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve
as a player?

A: It gave me the opportunity to swing wooden bats and refine my swing.

Drury, shown here warming up the right fielder with his non-throwing hand to prevent injury, has a 1.54 ERA in five games this year and an opponent batting average of .157, both bests for the 'Bolts.

Here is the fourth part of the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Jimmy Drury, a left-handed pitcher and graduate of William & Mary. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Q: What were your expectations coming in to the year, both for the team and individually?

A: Actually, this year I had stopped playing baseball all together - retired if you will. The T-Bolts needed a few innings though and I'm glad I'm playing again.

Jones is hitting .254 with 19 runs and 13 stolen bases.

According to the league's website, outfielder Jeff Jones (William & Mary) has been added to the West All-Star Roster while pitcher Wade Newman (Winthrop) has been removed. Newman, 1-2 with a team best 2.97 ERA this year, was recently handed a two game suspension after Thursday's game against the Alexandria Aces. According to team president Ed Sharp, Newman's removal is because of his suspension.

Jones has played well in all phases of the game for the 'Bolts, slugging .427, second best on the team, and is either tied or leading the team in runs, triples, total bases, stolen bases, and fielding percentage (Jones has not made an error in 55 chances this year). Jones also leads the team in strikeouts.

Drewyer pitched three excellent innings out of relief for the 'Bolts, but they couldn't pull out the win.

SILVER SPRING - - In a close game to the end, the 'Bolts fell just short of their third win in four games, as they lost the Herndon Braves, 3-2.

Starter Ed Bach (UMBC) had his best start since June, pitching six innings, allowing three runs (two earned), off of six hits while striking out four.

"I felt like I didn't have my best stuff," Bach said. "We fought hard, and at least we weren't blown out, but I didn't feel like I had my best stuff."

The Braves took advantage of two Thunderbolt errors in the fourth. Joe Charron (Binghamton) singled, and attempted to steal second. Catcher Zach Feierstein (La Salle) threw a bullet to second, but no one was there to cover the bag, so Charron advanced easily to third. The next batter, Matt Simone (Binghamton), walked, and attempted to steal second as well. Feierstein threw it to Matt Baden (St. Mary's) at second base, who, realizing Charron was breaking for home, threw it back to Feierstein. The throw went wide to the left of Feierstein, scoring Charron easily.

"If you take away the two errors, we win that game," Feierstein said. "It's the story of our season, but if you compare it to games one week ago, two weeks ago, when we were getting blown out, you can see our pitching has improved and our defense has improved."

It looks like Weatherford, who has been on fire as of late, will represent the 'Bolts in the home run derby.

According to players and coaches on the 'Bolts, Heath Weatherford will represent the team in the home run derby competition this Tuesday at Shirley Povich Field at 5:30. It is unclear whether or not that puts him on the All-Star roster.

"I think Heath has a real shot," All-Star outfielder Mike Lang said. "He can really hit the ball, and you never know what can happen."

The large favorite is last years winner, Bombers' corner infielder Mike Celenza, from Salisbury University. Celenza, nicknamed "Babe" because of his large and quite frankly pudgy figure and his hitting prowess, is leading the league in almost every offensive category, hitting .400 with an on-base percentage of .504 and a slugging percentage of .519.

When asked about their feelings of being selected to the All-Star team, Lang and pitcher Ed Bach both spoke about the privilege of representing the 'Bolts.

"It's an honor," Bach said. "This is a very good league with a lot of very good pitchers, especially on this team. I thought there were a lot of guys on this team that should have made it, so it's definitely an honor to be selected."

"It's a big honor," Lang echoed. "It's a chance to represent a good group of guys. As a team, my goal is to go far in the playoffs, but this was my personal goal."

Late Friday afternoon at Bachman Park in Baltimore, the Thunderbolts split a double header with league powerhouse Youse's Maryland Orioles, winning the first contest 5-2, and losing the second 7-3.

In the first game, Matt Trent earned his first win of the year, pitching six innings, only giving up two runs while striking out three. Jordan Cudney pitched a perfect seventh for the save.

All-Star catcher Gerardo Hernandez hit his first home run of the year that capped a three run first for the 'Bolts, giving them a lead they would not relinquish. Jeff Jones and Jabari Graham each had two hits, and seven of the nine T-Bolt starters contributed with a hit.

Conner went 3-4 with two RBIs and his second home run.

Yesterday in Herndon, the Thunderbolts broke their nine-game losing streak thanks to fantastic pitching by Dusty White and a great offensive performance by the Thunderbolts, beating the Braves 6-3.

White pitched a complete game, allowing three runs, striking out four while only walking one. All three runs came off of a third inning Alex Ferrera home run for the Braves, but White was lights out in the other eight innings, allowing only four hits.

The 'Bolts combined for ten hits, three from Brett Conner and two from Jabari Graham. Conner and Heath Weatherford each hit home runs, and they combined for five of the T-Bolts' six RBIs.

The 'Bolts hope to continue the success tonight, they play against Youse's Maryland Orioles at Bachman Park, and play tomorrow, July 20th, at home against the Braves. Game starts at 6, gates open at 5.

Swetnam struggled early against the Big Train and got the loss.

The Thunderbolts continued their losing streak to a still record nine games, pushing them into 6th place in the eight team league.

Wednesday in Bethesda, 'Bolts starter Sean Swetnam ran into trouble early, giving up seven runs (four earned) in the first inning, including a two run home run to Eli Boike. Swetnam did settle down after the tumultuous inning, however, as he only allowed one run in his next five. Jeremy Zarou finished the game with two scoreless innings.

Offensively, the 'Bolts struggled. Jeff Jones drove in two runs and Ivan Rodriguez collected two hits, but the team combined for six hits and 9 runners left on base. The 'Bolts lost, 8-3.

Thursday in Alexandria, the 'Bolts had similar pitching struggles, but came together offensively. Wade Newman started the game, and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four runs. Austin Drewyer pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, but Jordan Cudney got the loss, allowing 3 runs in two innings.

The 'Bolts scored eight runs on ten hits. Jeff Jones, Jabari Graham, Gerardo Hernandez, and Brett Conner all had a multi-hit game, and Hernandez hit two doubles and drove in three runs, and Alex Bechta had a three-run double.

Going into the bottom of the ninth, the 'Bolts had a 8-6 lead with Cudney on the mound, looking to end their losing streak. Daniel Bierce knocked in a run on a single, and Andrew Brouse hit a walk-off, two-run double to win it for the Aces, 9-8.

Lang (9) and Hernandez (6) will both represent the 'Bolts on the 2008 West All Star Team.

The Preliminary All-Star rosters for the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League have been announced, with five Thunderbolts headlining the 2008 West All Star Team. Catcher Gerardo Hernandez, Outfielder Mike Lang, and pitchers Ed Bach, Jordan Cudney and Wade Newman all will be playing at the All-Star game at Shirley Povich Field on July 22nd.

The East All Star team is made up of players from Youse's Maryland Orioles, the Maryland Redbirds, the Rockville Express and the College Park Bombers. Seven of the twenty two players on the East squad are from the Orioles, including pitchers Kevin Brady and Scott Swinson. Five Bombers made the team, including stars Mike Celenza and Jack Amidei.

The West All Star team is made up of players from the Thunderbolts, the Bethesda Big Train, the Alexandria Aces and the Herndon Braves. Eight of the twenty three West Players are from the Big Train, including pitchers Matt Hiserman and Scott Schneider.

Here is the third part of the new series, the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Sean Swetnam, a sophomore right-handed pitcher at George Mason University. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

Swetnam has a 7.43 ERA in nine games pitched, but is third among Thunderbolt relievers with 13.1 innings.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: It has helped me become a more well-rounded pitcher and baseball player because of the experience factor as well as the knowledgeable coaching staff.

Sanchez gave up five runs in 2/3 of an inning and earned the loss.

SILVER SPRING - - In a game that was tightly contested and very well pitched until the Thunderbolts' now routine seventh inning letdown, the 'Bolts lost 11-6, while using a very unusual lineup.

The starting pitcher for the 'Bolts was reliever Jimmy Drury, who pitched five innings, allowing one run on one hit. His bid at a no-hitter was lost after 4 1/3 innings, and he received a no decision.

"I felt alright out there," Drury said. "I hadn't started in a while. I was throwing a lot of changeups, because they're such a good hitting team, so I didn't want to give them too many fastballs."

Catcher Gerardo Hernandez played at third base, and although he didn't perform well defensively (making two errors), he had the best offensive night of any Thunderbolts. Hernandez went 2-3 with a home run and three runs scored.

"I just tried to look for [Orioles' starter Kevin Brady's] fastball," Hernandez said. "I knew that was his best pitch, and I tried to hit it up the middle."

Following is the box score for the Thunderbolts July 14th game against the Alexandria Aces.

Tonight, the 'Bolts face Youse's Maryland Orioles at home at 7 PM. The starting pitcher for the Orioles is Kevin Brady, a Gaithersburg High School alum who was drafted by the Orioles, is committed to Clemson, and struck out nine batters while only allowing one hit in four innings the sole time he has pitched against the 'Bolts this year. Expect a multitude of major league scouts at the game, as was the case in Brady's previous appearance.

Bach struggled once again as the 'Bolts lost in a shootout.

SILVER SPRING - - For some pitchers, like Jose Sanchez (1) or Jordan Cudney (2), allowing the same amount of hits as your jersey number signifies a good outing. For Ed Bach (11), it does not.

Bach continued his recent woes on the mound, giving up nine runs (four earned) on eleven hits, two walks and a hits batsman for his third loss of the year. All three of Bach's losses have come in his last three starts.

"This just happens," Bach said. "Sometimes you have a bad day. That's baseball, you know?"

The Aces jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning, after a two-out Jabari Graham error at third base eventually allowed five runs to cross the plate. Andrew Brouse hit a three run home run for the Aces, and they never relinquished the lead.

Weatherford has gone on a tear at the plate since his player profile was published.

Since July 8th, the date Heath Weatherford's player profile was published here, Weatherford has been an absolute hot streak for the 'Bolts. He is 5-12, good for a .417 batting average, and is slugging an amazing .917, with three doubles and one home run in that stretch. He has scored two runs and knocked in three, and has raised his batting average from .190 to .241.

EDIT: After going 3-4 in last night's game against the Alexandria Aces, Weatherford is now 8-16 since the post, and is slugging .938 with four doubles.

Photo courtesy of ripkensrcollegebaseball.org

The Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Home Run Derby and All Star Game have been announced for Tuesday, July 22nd at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda. The Home Run Derby starts at 5:30, the All Star Game at 7:30. Come support your Thunderbolts!

Trent is now 0-5 this season.

ROCKVILLE - - The 'Bolts losing streak increased to five games last night as they lost to Rockville, 5-4.

Matt Trent started the game for the 'Bolts and pitched 7.2 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on ten hits, and got his fifth loss of the year.

Brett Conner, Jabari Graham and Heath Weatherford all contributed with two hits each. Weatherford hit his first home run of the year and drove in a team high two runs, hitting a double as well.

Rockville starter Trent DeLazzer pitched seven innings and allowed two runs while receiving a no decision. Reliever Justin Latta earned the victory, pitching a scoreless eighth inning, and Jordan Mathers got Jeff Jones to ground out to third for the final out of the game and the save.

The 'Bolts next game is Monday, July 14th, at home against the Alexandria Aces. Game starts at 7, gates open at 6.

Newman pitched well, but got the loss for the Thunderbolts.

SILVER SPRING - - Yesterday's capacity crowd at Blair Stadium must have had a tough time watching a very lopsided loss for the Thunderbolts. The 'Bolts did not score a run and lost, 12-0.

Starter Wade Newman pitched well for the Thunderbolts, however, as he allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings with three hits and one walk. Assistant coach Joe Michalski, filling in for suspended coach John Duffy, then brought in starting pitcher Dusty White to pitch out of the bullpen. White allowed 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings, and relievers Sean Swetnam and Jeremy Zarou each allowed three runs in one and two innings, respectively.

"With how this rotation is working, we planned on having Wade go five and Dusty go four," Michalski said. "Obviously, that didn't work, and we didn't want to keep Dusty out there when he was struggling. But Dusty will start next week, he is still in the rotation."

Offensively, the 'Bolts had even more struggles, only picking up two hits and being shut out by the combined efforts of Austin Hurd, Christian Schulz, and Zach Ullrich.

"One of the things that we have to get better at is somebody needs to step up and get a two out hit with runners in scoring position," Michalski said. "We need to put pressure on the other team with an early score. When they get on us early like they have been, it gives them confidence, and then with the pressure, we'll make an error, and it will just be a spiral downward after that."

Cusick struggled early, but recovered and pitched well in his last two innings.

COLLEGE PARK - - The Thunderbolts fell behind to the College Park Bombers early on Thursday, and could not come back for the victory.

Starter Paul Cusick pitched four innings, allowing five runs and earning his third loss of the year. All five of the Bombers' runs came in the first two innings.

Reliever Austin Drewyer had his best outing of the year. He pitched four innings without allowing a run, struck out five batters, and allowed only three Bomber base runners (two hits and one intentional walk). The outing dropped his ERA by more than three runs.

"Cusick struggled early, but he got it together later," Assistant Coach Tim Bianchi said. "And then Drewyer completely shut them down, he pitched a great game."

Offensively for the Thunderbolts, Jeff Jones hit a bases loaded, bases clearing double, but they could never quite make the final push to take the lead.

The Thunderbolts play tonight, July 11, at home against the Rockville Express. Game starts at 7, gates open at 6.

Box score to come later.

Here is the second part of the new series, the Thunderbolts player profiles. Today's player is Dusty White, a junior right-handed pitcher at Wingate. The correspondence was done through e-mail.

White, the Thunderbolts' Opening Day starter, leads all Thunderbolt starting pitchers with a 1.99 ERA, and is 2-2 on the year.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: It has allowed me to help polish up on some mechanical flaws that need some work as well as continue to develop all aspects of my pitching.

COLLEGE PARK - - In a game that lasted more than three hours at Shipley Field at the University of Maryland, the Thunderbolts fell short of an even .500 record, and are now nine games behind the Bethesda Big Train for first place.

Bach, who's ERA increased from 3.10 to 3.27, walked five hitters and allowed nine hits in 6 2/3 innings, bringing his record to 3-2. Bach allowed four runs (three earned), including an RBI triple to Craig Lanzarotta in the second inning, giving the Bombers a 1-0 lead. Bombers' star Mike Celenza hit a two run double in the eighth inning off of reliever Austin Drewyer, sporting his 10.41 ERA.

Offensively, the Thunderbolts were able to string together hits, but not in run-scoring situations. The 'Bolts had 9 hits, but 10 runners left on base. Heath Weatherford went 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI, raising his average from .190 to .239. Jeff Jones went 2-4 with two doubles as well.

The Thunderbolts play tonight at home against Youse's Maryland Orioles. Game starts at 7, gates open at 6.

Today marks the first part of a (hopefully) twenty nine part series, the Thunderbolts player profiles, which I hope will give the fans a greater understanding of the players they are rooting for. Today's player is Heath Weatherford, a sophomore first baseman at Wingate University.

Although Weatherford is hitting only .190, he is tied for second on the team with three doubles and has come up with clutch hits throughout the year.

Q: How has the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball league helped you improve as a player?

A: It has helped me recognize the ways in which I need to work to become a better player overall and to learn to play on an everyday basis.

The following is the box score for July 5th's Thunderbolts game against the Maryland Redbirds.

SILVER SPRING - - In a tightly contested match up between two clubs who pitched very well, the Thunderbolts once again fell short against the Bethesda Big Train.

Matt Trent, who has struggled on the mound almost all year for the 'Bolts, pitched very well in his first start since June 21st. The Richmond junior pitched six innings, allowing only two hits and three runs (one earned). Trent, however, did have problems with his control, walking nine (three intentional) while only striking out two.

"I felt pretty good out there," Trent said. "I think the rain break helped my pitching, my velocity was better after that. I was able to hit my spots, get ground balls when I needed to. I worked both sides with my fastball, and I could work in my change up from there."

The Big Train got on the board first, in the second inning, on an RBI fielder's choice with the bases loaded by Ryan Wilkins, and scored a run the following inning on a Michael Cipolla sacrifice fly.

The 'Bolts struck back in the bottom half of the inning, after Kendall Bolt, who got on base by getting hit by a pitch, stole second to get into scoring position with one out. Two batters later, Brett Conner singled up the middle, scoring Bolt and bring the 'Bolts within one.

A correction from last night's post: Tonight's game against the Big Train starts at 6 PM, not 7. Gates open at 5.

Barber rounding the bases after his fourth inning blast.

SILVER SPRING - - In the first game of tonight's doubleheader against the Maryland Redbirds, the Thunderbolts came out with the victory thanks to a home run by Billy Barber and the shoddy defensive performance given by the Redbirds in the sixth inning.

Barber hit his team-leading third home run of the year in the fourth inning, with Jabari Graham on first base in a 0-0 tie.

"It was 3-1, a hitter's count," Barber said. "I was looking for something up, and he gave me something up and a little away, so I took it that way."

Barber's shot disappeared into the trees beyond the right center field fence at Blair Stadium. Barber now also leads the Thunderbolts with eleven RBIs.

Starter Dusty White pitched a good game for the 'Bolts. He threw four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out six. However, he walked six batters and hit one. White earned his second win of the year, as, in a seven inning game such as this one, the starting pitcher only needs to pitch four innings for the win.

"I had a little trouble finding the strike zone, but I made good pitches when I had to, and the defense was behind me the whole way," White said.

Starter Paul Cusick allowed four runs in 4+ innings as the T-Bolts lost.

ALEXANDRIA - - Last night at Four Mile Run Park, the 'Bolts lost to the Alexandria Aces for the second time this season, extending their losing streak to four games and falling 6 ½ games behind the Youse's Maryland Orioles and Bethesda Big Train for first place in the CRSCBL.

Starter Paul Cusick gave up four runs in four plus innings, and Jose Sanchez gave up his first two runs of the year (one earned) in his one inning of work for his first loss of the year. Billy Barber, Jordan Cudney and Austin Drewyer each pitched hitless innings, Barber allowing the only base runner of the three of them, a walk.

Alexandria broke the 2-2 tie with a big fifth inning. Adam Clark led off with a single against Cusick, and Daniel Bierce walked, prompting Coach John Duffy to call in Sanchez to pitch. Phil Blakely hit a single, scoring Clark, and Bierce scored on a throwing error by catcher Zach Feierstein. John Skaggs hit a double, scoring Bierce, and Andrew Brouse advanced to second on Jabari Graham's eleventh error of the year. With the bases loaded, Will Campbell was hit by a pitch, driving in the fourth and final run of the inning, with the score the eventual final, 6-2 Aces.

Michael Speciale hitting his lead-off triple to start the second.

SILVER SPRING - - Once again, the Thunderbolts failed to find a way to beat the Bethesda Big Train, losing to them for the fourth time this season, 9-1.

"We just can't beat Bethesda," Coach John Duffy said. "Now I'm 1-10 against them, I can't beat Bethesda. We just can't beat Bethesda."

Thunderbolts starter Ed Bach was knocked around on the pitching mound for the first time this season, giving up 6 runs in 3/2 innings of work. His lack of control was what did him in, as he walked five batters and hit two, leading off each of his four innings with a base runner either from a walk or a hit batter.

"I didn't have good command of my fastball," Bach said. "Because of that, I couldn't get ahead in the count on many hitters, so they had an advantage, and I had too many walks."

Offensively, the 'Bolts struggled all night. In the bottom of the second, Michael Speciale seared a 3-2 fastball into left center for a leadoff triple, and scored the 'Bolts only run on a Jabari Graham ground out to short. Bethesda starter Justin Wright pitched 6 innings, allowing only that one run and walking one, and reliever Kris Brown pitched 3 scoreless innings while only allowing one hit and one walk.

"It'll come back to us," Zack Feierstein said. "The best teams lose, and it'll come back to us. This is what happens in baseball, some days you'll struggle offensively and with your pitching and lose."

Check out this month's Takoma Voice for the Thunderbolts Midseason Report on pages 38 and 39.

Matt Trent pitched well in relief, but the 'Bolts defense let him down.

ALEXANDRIA - - The 'Bolts committed five errors Monday night against the Alexandria Aces and lost, 12-4.

Those five errors accounted for six unearned Thunderbolt runs. In the bottom of the first, the Aces scored all the runs they needed for the victory. After Tommy Grandieri walked, Phil Blakely got on base on Jabari Graham's first error of the game. They both advanced a base on a Paul Cusick wild pitch, and scored on an Andrew Brouse double. Later in the inning, John Skaggs scored on a bases loaded walk to Danny Williams, and Brouse scored on another error by Graham. Two other runs would score, and a runner reached base on a catcher interference on Gerardo Hernandez. All in all, the Aces only had two hits in the first inning, but scored six runs on three errors, two wild pitches and four walks.

In the seventh, the Aces put together another big inning thanks to the defensive miscues of the 'Bolts. After Jared Norris led off with a home run and Williams singled, Daniel Bierce got on base on Graham's third error of the game. Later in the inning, Adam Clark scored on a throwing error by shortstop Rich Conlon. The Aces scored five runs in the seventh, three of them earned.

Struggling Thunderbolt pitchers Matt Trent and Austin Drewyer both pitched in relief. While Drewyer allowed two runs in his one inning, raising his ERA to a team-high 13.17, Trent gave his best performance of the year. He pitched five inning, only allowing two runs, and struck out six while walking only one, lowering his ERA to 9.60.