Written by Mahaley Wise

The Olney Cropdusters have been on a strong run since Opening Day, picking up three wins in as many games and aiming for another against the Thunderbolts on Saturday. This time, though, the Thunderbolts came out strong and took an early lead that the Cropdusters couldn’t quite overcome, despite their continued effort throughout the game.

The Thunderbolts brought the storm early in the first inning. Griffin Puvel (Rider University) initiated things with a walk, quickly followed by a line drive double from Tyson Gil (Clarion University) to send the runner home. Silver Spring-Takoma followed with two back-to-back walks by Jack Hurda (Clarion University) and Aidan Driscoll (Maryland College Park) to load the bases. They remained unrelenting as Brayden Foster (Youngstown State) fired a base hit into right field to score two more runs. Vance Bonior (UMass Amherst) followed with a ball past the second baseman to add on another run for the Thunderbolts already soaring lead. 

And just like that, the Thunderbolts were through their entire lineup with bases loaded. Puvel appeared again, blasting the ball into center field, landing just short of the fence and sending two more runners home. The Cropdusters made their first call to the bullpen, introducing Mac Crismond (Charleston), who captured the final out, ending the Thunderbolts’ initial surge. The deficit was a whopping 7-0 in the first inning. 

By the fifth the Cropdusters hadn’t recovered and the Thunderbolts had quieted down, neither team scoring any runs. The Thunderbolts’ center fielder made an impressive diving catch to end the top of the fifth inning, keeping the Cropdusters off the board. Then they struck again in the bottom half. With bases loaded, Gil hit a single, sending Matt Walters (Cornell) home for their eighth run of the game. The Cropdusters pitcher finished the inning with a strikeout and limited any more damage from Thunderbolts baserunners. 

Olney came to life in the top of the seventh. After three walks to load the bases, a passed ball created a window for Tyler Cook (Troy University) to score, finally ending the string of scoreless innings for the Cropdusters. Jaden Knight (Notre Dame) created another scoring opportunity with a bunt, allowing Zakye Hawkins (University of Utah) to score. Ayden Frey (Delaware) sent the ball to left field for a single, allowing Charlie Buckles (Florida State) to score for the third run of the inning. The Thunderbolts pitcher shut down the inning with a clutch strikeout, holding off the mounting pressure from the Cropdusters' offense and preserving their five-run lead, 8-3.

The Cropdusters took another chance to score a run and chip away at the score in the eighth. Hawkins hit a single through the gap to get Austin Stalker (West Chester University) home, cutting the score in half, 8-4 favoring the Thunderbolts. In the ninth, the Cropdusters faced their final chance to mount a comeback, but fell short. Thunderbolts closer Brady Grimes (Millersville University) faced three batters and struck them all out in order, delivering a dazzling performance. 

The Cropdusters return home tomorrow to fight against the Grays, while the Thunderbolts hit the road to match up against the Senators.