NEWS

By Tim Wilcox

Down a run in the bottom of the eighth, the first four Aces batters drew walks, tying the game at 5-5. The Thunderbolts’ difficulty finding the strike zone led them to change pitchers, giving Alexandria’s batters a different look.

With one out, Amari Allen (Chipola) hit a line drive to left field that was caught on a diving effort, but Jamie Quinn-Irons (George Mason) tagged up on the play to give the Aces a 6-5 lead. Then, Alexandria’s next two batters – Max Kalk (Ball State) and pinch-hitter Sam Robertson (Auburn) – legged out infield singles to bring across two more runs.

After scoring four runs in the eighth, the Aces (10-4) defeated the Thunderbolts (6-8) by a score of 8-6, marking their fourth straight win. The victory kept Alexandria undefeated (6-0) at home and made it the first team in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate League to reach 10 wins.

“We're just playing together, just making sure we keep our at-bats right and just making sure we stay within ourselves and not try to do too much,” Allen said.

The middle of the lineup comprising Ethan Plyler (Charleston) and Allen propelled the Aces to the win. Plyler, batting fifth, had three extra-base hits and Allen, the sixth hitter, singled twice and tallied the go-ahead RBI. The combination feeds off each other, Allen said.

“[Batting behind Plyler] gives me a lot of confidence because I know that the pitches are in the zone so that means I'm gonna get something to eat too,” Allen said. “I make sure I’m ready for that fastball and whenever I see it, attack it.”

The Aces were the first to score in the game as Riley DeCandido (VCU) continued to stay hot following his 6-RBI game Sunday. In the bottom of the first, DeCandido crushed a stand-up double and Plyler followed with a double to drive him in to give the Aces a 2-0 lead.

Alexandria added a run in the third before the Thunderbolts threatened with bases loaded, no outs in the third inning. With Quincy Via (Marymount) at the plate, a wild pitch by Alexandria led to Silver Spring-Takoma’s first run. Via walked to reload the bases, but two lineouts, the second on a diving catch by Tim Nicholson (George Washington), ended the frame with the Aces leading 3-1.

In the bottom of the third, the Aces restored their three-run lead. Plyler led off the inning with a triple before Allen singled him in. A double play and groundout got the Thunderbolts out of the third inning, allowing just one run after the two hits.

To start the fifth inning, the Thunderbolts called on Ethan Warner (West Chester) to pinch hit and he delivered, clobbering a double. Two more T-Bolts reached base in the inning to load the bases and with two outs, Brayden Foster (Mt. St. Mary’s) drew a walk to cut the Aces lead to 4-2.

Both offenses traded runs as the Aces responded in the fifth. Plyler continued his strong day at the plate, lacing a double for his third extra-base hit of the game with one out. Following the hit, the next two Aces reached base to load the bases. But T-Bolts reliever Christian Foltz (Messiah) buckled down and retired the next two batters to keep their deficit to two runs.

Both teams went down in order in the sixth as Foltz completed his four innings allowing just one run. The strong outing by Foltz carried over to the Thunderbolts bats.

The first three batters reached base in the seventh inning for the Thunderbolts. Trailing 4-2, Josh Erd (Frederick) lifted a fly ball to right field to bring in a run and pull Silver Spring-Takoma within one run. Following Erd, Foster laced a single to tie the game.

With one out, Bryce Curry (Frederick CC) doubled to bring in the go-ahead run, giving the Thunderbolts their first lead of the game at 5-4.

The Thunderbolts held their lead for one inning before things got away in the eighth and they allowed four runs. Silver Spring-Takoma applied pressure in the top of the ninth by scoring one run with no outs, cutting the score to 8-6. With the T-Bolts’ heart of the lineup coming up, the Aces brought in Paul Witkop (Richmond). Witkop induced two groundouts and got a strikeout to close the game.

“When any of my guys come out of the bullpen, I'm already ready to expect them to come on and shut it down,” Allen said.

After the off day Tuesday, the Thunderbolts take on the Cropdusters at First Responder Field by SERVPRO Wednesday while the Aces face the Braves Thursday at South County High School.