Written by Mahaley Wise

A late afternoon game between the Thunderbolts and Cropdusters was the first of a doubleheader. The Thunderbolts came out early, but a late rally from the Cropdusters gave them the victory in the first game. 

There were light rain showers in the Olney area, but the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts brought the thunder, scoring two runs in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Josh Erd (Frederick CC) swung at the first pitch, advancing to first on an error by the shortstop. Nolan Kutney (UMBC)  followed with a double to put runners at third and second. With two outs, both teams felt immense pressure. A walk from Brady Grimes (Millersville) loaded the bases for the Thunderbolts. Caleb Stutervant (Millersville) hit a ball to the third baseman, who threw it away, allowing two runners to score. 

In the second, Thunderbolts worked two outs on the first two Cropdusters batters. Nevertheless, the Cropdusters stayed aggressive. Rohne Klein (San Jose State) cranked a ball over the right field wall to cut the Thunderbolts' lead in half, 2-1.

The Cropdusters closed the gap in the fourth inning, tying the game 2-2. Koy Swanson (Gaston College) advanced to first after a pitch hit him on the hand. The Cropdusters stay aggressive, making the most of the base runner. Klein again struck a hard hit ball to right field, this one just falling in front of the wall. Swanson hit the gas, making his way around the bases, beating the throw from the outfield. 

In the fifth inning, the Cropdusters broke the tie, picking up a single run to put them in the lead. Brian Scott (Frostburg) was hit by a pitch and quickly stole second base to put a runner in scoring position. A single by Walker Zampella (East Stroudsburg) sent Scott charging around the bases, scoring the tie-breaking run. 

The Cropdusters exploded in the final seventh inning, earning five runs. A leadoff single by Tyler Cook (Gaston College) started the momentum. RJ Cromartie (Notre Dame) advanced to first on a throwaway ball by the pitcher to put Cook in scoring position. With no outs, the Thunderbolts moved in their infield, but Scott hit the ball over their heads and past the center fielder for a double. Cook and Cromartie scored. Another error by the pitcher allowed Scott to score, tacking on three extra runs for the Cropdusters. A single by Jimmy Kirk (Millersville) scored two more runs. 

Cook came to bat with two men on and two men out, making his second appearance of the inning. He unleashed a ball over the right field wall for a three-run home run, expanding the gap between the Cropdusters and the Thunderbolts. The dugout roared as Cook’s teammates watched the ball sail over the wall. Feeling the pure adrenaline push of the inning, Cook spiked his bat and made his way around the bases. 

After the initial Thunderbolts two-run surge in the first inning, the Cropdusters silenced them for five innings, squeezing them into a final seventh-inning push. The Thunderbolts were unable to respond and were defeated in the first game of Friday night’s doubleheader. They hoped to redeem themselves in the second game, while the Cropdusters sought to recreate their accomplishments from the first game.