(Trenton, NJ) – In front of a sold-out crowd, the bats came alive as your Trenton Thunder started their 30th season on the right foot with a 7-1 win over the Frederick Keys. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the third inning, The Thunder responded with four runs in their half of the inning on four hits and two walks. Isaiah Drake drew the first walk with one out, then quickly got himself into scoring position by stealing second base. Alden Mathes hit his second single of the game to drive home Drake and knot the game at one.
After Charlie Pagliarini worked a walk, Ryland Zaborowski and Anthony Calarco hit back-to-back RBI doubles, pushing the lead to 3-1 Thunder. Chase Engelhard drove in the fourth run of the inning legging out an infield single with two outs. The Thunder weren’t done there, adding another run in the bottom of the fourth on Pagliarini’s RBI double that scored Mathes for his second run of the night. They tacked on two more insurance runs in the home half of the eighth on an Evan Sleight that plated Anthony Calarco and Chaz Myers.
The Keys took an early lead in the top of the third inning on a Luca Danos RBI single but were unable to muster any offense beyond that point. LHP Chase Jeter worked out of a Jam and limited the damage in what could’ve been a big inning for the Keys. Jeter went three solid innings, scattering three hits, striking out two, and walking one with the only run that scored being unearned. The bullpen came out firing, as Anthony Pron, Cade Udell, Peter Gallo, and Brenton Fisher combined to allow just one hit and struck out nine batters in six innings of work. Pron led all pitchers with three K’s in his two innings pitched.
Jeff Manto’s squad picked up their first win on the legs of great pitching, selectively aggressive base running, and timely hitting. Taking home Hyatt Regency Princeton Thunder Player of The Game honors was DH Anthony Calarco, who tallied 3 hits including an RBI double that nearly left the yard. The Thunder scored seven runs on nine hits and only had 1 error on Opening Day. They held Frederick to just one run on four hits.
Your Trenton Thunder continue their first homestand against the Frederick Keys with the first Pork Roll Friday of the season on June 2nd at 6:30 PM. Presented by MCIA, the first 2,030 fans will receive a Magnetic Schedule for the 2023 season. To purchase tickets, call (609) 394-3300, Opt 4 or visit trentonthunder.com.
