(Trenton, NJ) – With an off day on Monday, the Thunder knew going into their series finale against the Frederick Keys that they already had a positive homestand after winning the first four games. Saturday night was disappointing because they came within six outs of their fifth straight win, only to watch the Keys come back to tie the series. Sunday’s deciding game just wasn’t in the cards, and Frederick’s 16-hit barrage produced a 9-5 marathon win before another splendid crowd of 5,689 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. During their 4-2 homestand, your Thunder averaged 6,541 fans per game, with Saturday’s crowd of 7,412 setting the high water mark.
The Keys wasted no time and took the lead two batters in on a run-scoring single from Dylan Hoy. They added two more in the second on Hoy’s groundout and a two-out double from Jake Plastiak, with the entire offense erupting just in time for an immediate 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Thunder catcher **Gus Sosa **produced one of the few highlights with a booming drive to left for his second home run.
Frederick went back in front by four right away on **Daniel Figueroa’s **two-out double in the third. The center fielder was the driving force in the leadoff spot and finished the day 3-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. His mid-game replacement, Logan Sanders, also contributed with an RBI single and a run in the seventh inning.
On the mound, lefthander **Ashe Amerlaan **opened some eyes once again with five strikeouts over two-and-two-thirds of long relief. But any Thunder comeback attempt was thwarted, and the Keys eventually created the distance they were looking for with three straight two-out RBI base hits in the top of the seventh.
**Dalton Davis **brought in the second Thunder run with a two out single in the fourth, and **Socrates Bardatsos **made the most of his two plate appearances with a walk, a run, and a two-RBI double in the seventh. Neither team scored over the last two innings, giving the Keys their second straight series win against the Thunder and a 5-2 record in the head-to-head matchups.
Your Trenton Thunder start a three-game series in Williamsport against the Crosscutters on Tuesday, June 14 at 6:35 PM. The Thunder return home to Trenton Thunder Ballpark for a three-game series against the State College Spikes on Friday, June 17 at 7:00 PM. To purchase tickets, call (609)-394-3300, Opt 4 or visit trentonthunder.com.
New Jersey's Baseball Team | Founding Member of the MLB Draft League
The Trenton Thunder have drawn over 10 million fans over 28 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the "Nation's Best Franchise" (2005), the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $7.5 million worth of goods, services, and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com, facebook.com/trentonthunder, twitter.com/trentonthunder, and on youtube.com/AATrentonThunder.
