BOLTS FALL BEHIND 20-8 IN SUSPENDED HOME OPENER AGAINST GAITHERSBURG

By Sam Bergstrom 

SILVER SPRING–JUNE 3, Fans from all over Montgomery County convened at Blair Stadium for the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts’ 2026 home opener. Despite the pomp and circumstance of their home opener, the TBolts took a tough 20-8 loss to the Gaithersburg Giants. Much like their game against Big Train, the TBolts led by as many as five halfway through the contest. However, Gaithersburg capitalized on a seven-run sixth inning, and never looked back. Ultimately, the game was called off in the top of the ninth due to a mandatory late-night curfew at Blair Stadium. 

Here are some highlights from yesterday’s Wednesday evening whirlwind. 

Left-handed pitcher Jacob Seek jousted with the Giants in his first start of the summer. In three innings pitched, Seek struck out four batters; two of his K’s came from his fastball, and two were bent by his breaking ball. 

A couple of wild throws by Gaithersburg got the TBolts on the board 2-0 in the first inning. In the second, Jona Acosta (So., North Florida) sent a sac fly to right field, and Caleb Sturtevant (Sr., Millersville) tattooed an RBI double to left. 

In the bottom half of the fourth inning, the Bolts were beneficiaries of another run, this time off a wild pitch. Afterward, Nolan Kutney (Gr., UMBC) cranked a 2 RBI single to right. It was then that Silver Spring-Takoma sprang out to a 7-2 advantage, which was their largest of the game. 

However, the TBolts experienced severe turbulence in the top of the sixth inning. Gaithersburg got seven runs off two walks, two infield singles, two errors, a hit-by-pitch, and sacrifice fly. After trailing by five, the Giants turned the tide to take an 11-7 lead. 

Although a Sturtevant RBI triple in the gave the TBolts a band-aid, the wounds would keep growing wider. Gaithersburg garnered three runs in the seventh, three additional in the eighth, and three more in the ninth. By the time it was over, the Giants became the first team in the Ripken League this season to rake in 20 runs.

Overall, four new pitchers made relief appearances for the TBolts, including Aidan Watts (Jr., Rochester), Josh Erd (Sr., East Stroudsburg), Franco Pistella (So., Oberlin), and Wade Hartrick (So., University of Chicago). These pitchers supplied a combined seven strikeouts. 

On the night, the Thunderbolts had three hits compared to Gaithersburg's 12. Walks were an issue for both teams, with Gaithersburg giving up 10 and Silver Spring-Takoma surrendering 13. The TBolts committed six errors on the diamond, and both teams struck out 11. 

After nearly four hours of baseball at Blair, TBolts General Manager Dick O’Connor had to halt the action in the ninth inning due to a mandatory curfew. Details surrounding whether this game will be finished out are still to be determined. 

Despite the late-game bludgeoning, many fans are excited for the Thunderbolts’ season to get underway. TBolts fanatics Teddy and Rich were grateful to get to the game last night, and shared that they have a special brotherly bond over the team.

“It’s a great way to get engaged with the community, and for us as brothers to spend some time together. We usually get up here at least once or twice a week when the season’s going on,” Teddy told me.

Rich added, “It’s also great to see all the organizations from the community like Takoma Torch—small-town businesses that are supporting this cause.” 

We hope that this sincere support reigns true for many in Montgomery County. The TBolts will look to clear the forecast tonight against the Cropdusters at home. The official game preview will be on your way shortly. 

BOLTS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST GIANTS IN HOME OPENER

By Sam Bergstrom 
SS-Tbolts

SILVER SPRING, JUNE 3—The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (0-1) will make their much anticipated home opener tonight against the Gaithersburg Giants (1-0). 

Last summer, Silver Spring-Takoma went 3-3 against Gaithersburg. The last time the two teams squared off was during a sudden death play-in game on July 22, 2025. The TBolts came out on top 8-4, and the win propelled them into the playoffs. 

The Giants started on a high note by defeating the Olney Cropdusters 8-6 last night in Gaithersburg. Three Giants had multi-hit nights, including Dominic Trolio (So., Seton Hall), who went 3-4 with 2 RBI’s. 

The Thunderbolts are coming off a heart-wrenching 12-11 walk-off loss against the Bethesda Big Train last night. Mason Kelleher (Fr., Frostburg St.), Trent Lopez (So., Cornell), and Caleb Sturtevant (Sr., Millersville) all had productive days at the plate against Bethesda. In total, the Thunderbolts collected 16 hits; they will look to keep their hot hitting alive tonight in their joust with the Giants. 

Head coach Brock Hunter says that tonight we will likely see players who did not play against Bethesda. Names to look out for are outfielder Griffin Puvel (Sr., Rider), infielder Matthew Kim (Sr., Hampden-Sydney) and catcher Kai Schmelzer (Fr., Gulf Coast State College). 

Jacob Seek (Jr., Chesapeake College) will be tonight’s starting pitcher for the TBolts. The 6’2” left-hander pitched 39 innings last spring, and secured 42 strikeouts for the Chesapeake Skipjacks. Jacob seeks a TBolts win tonight after his two-strikeout performance against the DC Grays during pre-season. 

First pitch is set for 7 P.M. at Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium. For those who can’t attend, the game will be streamed on the Thunderbolts YouTube channel.

THUNDERBOLTS CAN’T HOLD OFF BIG TRAIN; FALL 12-11 IN AN ACTION-PACKED OPENING NIGHT AT POVICH

By Sam Bergstrom 
SS-Tbolts

BETHESDA, JUNE 2—Last night, the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts and the Bethesda Big Train put on a thrilling show at Shirley Povich Field. With the season officially underway, a plethora of Thunderbolts fans travelled 10 miles west to support Silver Spring-Takoma in their summer debut in Bethesda. After the TBolts took an 8-2 lead in the second inning, the Big Train got back on track with a walkoff comeback win to start their season. 

Here’s a breakdown of the big plays from the TBolts’ 12-11 opening night loss. 

In the top of the first inning, the Thunderbolts were bashing and thrashing. Nolan Kutney (Gr., UMBC) and David Vozzo (Jr., Moravian) drove in three runs to start the scoring. This was followed by a Trent Lopez (So., Cornell) double which hit off the top of the wall in right-center. Mason Kelleher (Fr., Frostburg St.) clobbered another RBI through the right side, and the Thunderbolts led 5-0 after one. 

Bethesda brought in two runs during their half of the first inning, and the Big Train looked to keep on chugging. With two outs and a man on first, Bethesda outfielder Logan Ponnett (So., Charlotte) powered a pitch deep to left field. It looked as if the ball might leave the park for a homer, but a back-tracking Lopez leaped high in front of the fence to make a miraculous catch. After Lopez saved an extra base-hit, Ponnett respectfully tipped his cap to the elated TBolt left fielder. 

After RBI’s from Vozzo and Gabriel Pegues (So., Lynchburg) in the 2nd, the Thunderbolts went up 8-2. This was their largest lead of the game. 

Starting pitcher Brady Grimes (Jr., Millersville) pitched 2.1 innings, and struck out the leadoff hitter in his summer debut. While up 8-3 in the third, Branden Brown (Sr., Frostburg State) came in to relieve Grimes. Brown pitched 2.2 innings, and recorded a strikeout of his own in the 4th. 

After the TBolts lead dwindled down to 8-6, Caleb Sturtevant (Sr., Millersville) slaughtered the first home run of the season for Silver Spring-Takoma. Leading off the sixth inning, Sturtevant sent a solo shot over the fence in left-center field. “I honestly just tried not to do too much. Obviously not trying to overswing, trying to hit the ball where it was pitched, and it worked out for me today. It’s great to be back with the Bolts,” Sturtevant told TBolts broadcaster Patrick Moran after the game. 

EJ Youngling (Jr., Moravian) pitched a scoreless sixth inning, and the Greyhound connection was gleaming for the TBolts. With one out and runners on first and third, Bethesda belted a ball into the glove of Youngling’s Moravian teammate Vozzo, who flipped it to first for the double play. 

Afterward, Jona Acosta (So., UNF) sliced a double to left field to plate two TBolts; Silver Spring-Takoma took an 11-6 lead into the 7th inning stretch. In the bottom of the 7th, the wheels began to turn rapidly for Big Train. Bethesda belted three base hits, drew two walks, the TBolts committed two errors, and the Train scored five runs to tie the game at 11-11.  

Both teams were efficient on the mound in the eigth and ninth innings. Fan favorite Mike Preske (Jr., Cecil CC) made his summer debut, and pitched 2.1 innings for the TBolts. Preske became the fourth Thunderbolt to log a strikeout, which occurred in the eighth inning. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Big Train infielder Brennon Wright (Sr., South Alabama) got aboard on a bunt single, and eventually wheeled to third off a wild pitch. With two outs, first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Sr., Nova Southeastern) became the Tuesday night hero for Bethesda. Gonzalez smacked an RBI single to left, and secured a 12-11 walkoff win. 

There were five TBolts who had multi-hit performances last night. Kelleher went 4-5 with 2 singles, two doubles, and an RBI. Along with his home run, Sturtevant sizzled an infield single and RBI double in his 3-5 day at the plate. Vozzo ripped two early RBI singles, and Acosta came through with a single and RBI double. Lastly, Lopez lit it up with his electric outfield catch and thunderous RBI double to right-center. 

The Thunderbolts offense amassed 16 hits and drew five walks on the night. To add on, each pitcher who appeared for the TBolts recorded one strikeout apiece. Although the game ended in heartbreaking fashion, the TBolts made terrific plays that captivated the crowd in Bethesda all evening. 

The Thunderbolts will hold their home opener tonight against the Gaithersburg Giants (1-0) at Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium. Stay tuned for the game preview, which will be uploaded later this afternoon.

BOLTS WILL BATTLE BIG TRAIN ON THE ROAD TONIGHT TO START THE SEASON 

By Sam Bergstrom 
SS-Tbolts

SILVER SPRING, JUNE 2—Opening day has officially arrived in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts will travel 10 miles east, and look to derail the Bethesda Big Train on the road in their regular season debut.

Tonight, the Thunderbolts will look to carry their momentum from Sunday’s 9-8 exhibition loss against the DC Grays. Against DC, the TBolts sprayed seven hits, seven strikeouts, eight runs, and played lockdown infield defense. 

Brady Grimes (Jr., Millersville) will toe the rubber tonight for the TBolts. Last season, the 6’7” righty recorded a 2.16 ERA for Silver Spring-Takoma. In his sophomore season at Millersville, Grimes appeared in 11 games, pitched 10 innings, and stockpiled 6 strikeouts. 

In terms of the lineup, Head Coach Brock Hunter will look to experiment in the Thunderbolts’ first few games of the season. “We'll probably early on have two lineups that we're just switching back and forth,” Hunter shared. ”What I'll probably do is eventually figure out what that best lineup is and have, not an A and a B lineup, but, you know, a one and a two lineup. It usually takes halfway through the season to figure all that stuff out.”

Last season, Bethesda brought home their third consecutive League Championship title. Big Train are also the reigning Cal Ripken Regular Season champions. Their roster features players from across the country, and is mostly a mesh of D1 talent. 

In 2025, the TBolts had a 1-4 record against Bethesda, and are looking to start off on the right foot in 2026. “If you start out hot, you get rolling, and you get the guys feeling good,” said Thunderbolts outfielder Caleb Sturtevant. 

First pitch is set for 7 P.M. at Shirley Povich field. The game will be streamed on the TBolts YouTube channel, which can be found in the media tab on the website.

JONA ACOSTA AND SAM CAMACHO JR. LOOK TO BRING FLORIDA FLAIR TO THE THUNDERBOLTS THIS SUMMER 

By Sam Bergstrom
SS-Tbolts

SILVER SPRING, JUNE 1—After the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts finished their exhibition matchup last night against the DC Grays, Head Coach Brock Hunter was asked who made the biggest impression for him in the lineup. 

Out of the 14 hitters who came to bat for the TBolts, Hunter shared, “The standouts were probably the two Miami kids.”

Yes, you read that right. This year, the Thunderbolts have two players who have journeyed from the Sunshine State to play summer baseball in Silver Spring. Before their first game, I had the opportunity to chat with infielders Jona Acosta and Sam Camacho Jr. about this upcoming season. 

This is Jona’s first season playing in a Summer Collegiate Baseball League, and he comes to the TBolts after his freshman season at the University of North Florida. The lefty wasted no time introducing himself by sizzling two singles and working a walk last night against DC. 

Sam is a rising sophomore at Clarion College, and will be playing third base for the TBolts. This is not his first rodeo with summer ball, as he won a South Florida Collegiate Baseball title in 2025. Sadly, a shoulder injury sidelined Sam his entire freshman season. Last night, he showed no rust in his return to baseball; the right-handed hitter scorched two singles to center for the TBolts. 

“After being out for three and a half months, it was pretty good. Pretty happy to get back on the field, you know, and just having fun. I had a really good day at the plate, and I’m super excited to get out here,” Sam shared. 

Funny enough, Jona and Sam actually played high school baseball against each other. Jona spent his time at Miami Killian High School, while Sam was at Miami Springs. Jona described this upcoming summer as a full circle moment for both of them. 

“When we were both on the field [in high school], obviously we're not friends. Like, we're trying to outcompete each other and obviously win. But outside of the field, and now that we're on the same team, it’s kind of like, we're brothers now. It’s a bond for sure.”

Both Miami natives were immersed in Florida’s fervent baseball culture at a young age. Overall, the infielders both believe that the competitive atmosphere from their childhoods allowed them to blossom into the players they have become.

As a Cubs fan, and someone of Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan heritage, Sam grew up modeling his game after Javier Baez. Jona’s favorite player is Francisco Lindor, which is why he wears number 12 for the TBolts. Above all, Jona admires the overwhelming joy Lindor plays with. As he put it, “He's always got a smile on his face, kind of an influence to the younger kids, and that's something I wish to be one day as well.” 

Without question, both players are hoping to develop in dynamic ways this season, and also bring a wave of good vibes for this Thunderbolts squad. 

Jona wishes to work on his consistency, and looks to hold the defensive unit accountable as a vocal leader. Although it’s still early to solidify anything, Hunter believes Jona can be a valuable leadoff man and will see lots of action at shortstop. Sam shared how he wants to get stronger at third base and more comfortable at the plate. He also believes that making the simple plays—bunts, sac flies, and routine ground balls—can go a long way for the TBolts. 

Just as Sonny and Rico cracked down on criminals in Miami Vice, Thunderbolts fans should keep a lookout for Jona and Sam to lock up the left side of the infield this summer. 

BOLTS SHOW SOME FLASH IN 9-8 EXHIBITION LOSS TO DC GRAYS

By Sam Bergstrom 
SS-Tbolts

SILVER SPRING, JUNE 1—Yesterday evening, the Silver-Spring Takoma Thunderbolts opened the flood gates to their 2026 campaign in a pre-season duel with the DC Grays. In this Sunday evening showdown at Blair Baseball Stadium, both teams had more than twenty players receive game-day reps. Through nine action-packed innings, Head Coach Brock Hunter sent eight pitchers to the mound and fourteen hitters to the plate for the TBolts. 

Here are some key plays from the Thunderbolts’ 9-8 exhibition loss. 

Southpaw Jacob Seek (Jr., Chesapeake College) got the start for the TBolts, and pitched a scoreless first inning with a pair of strikeouts. The TBolts took an early 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning with back-to-back bases loaded walks by Trent Lopez (So., Cornell) and Kai Schmelzer (Fr., Gulf Coast State).

The Grays promptly responded with a 3-run third inning to go up 3-2. This inning concluded with a voracious play by David Vozzo (Jr., Moravian). After a ground ball was chopped off the glove of first baseman Nolan Kutney (Gr., UMBC), Vozzo reeled it in off the deflection, and retired the runner just in time for the much-needed final out. 

Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Sam Camacho Jr. (So., Clarion) was driven home courtesy of a Trent Lopez triple to right center. A wild pitch by the Grays would then send Lopez home to square things up at 5-5. 

Ryan Buecker (Sr., McDaniel) brought the heat for the TBolts in the 7th, and pieced together a scoreless inning. Buecker got support from catcher Kai Schmelzer, who hit Vozzo at third with a kean assist to gun down the Grays on a stolen base attempt. 

The Grays got going in the eighth with another two-run inning, but not before the TBolts made two magnificent infield plays. With the bases loaded and no outs, Matthew Kim (Sr., Hampden-Sydney) fielded a hopper up the middle, sped over to second, and fired to first for a delicious double play. The inning came to an end when Vozzo—yes, Vozzo again—delivered a diving catch at third to disrupt DC's run. 

In the bottom of the eighth, the TBolts cut the lead down to 9-8 courtesy of RBI singles from Jona Acosta (So., North Florida) and Gabriel Pegues (So., Lynchburg). After taking at-bats in the second and fifth innings as a first baseman, Wade Hartrick (So., University of Chicago) pitched a scoreless ninth inning on the mound, and struck out two Grays while doing so. 

To conclude, DC notched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, and handed the TBolts a 9-8 loss. 

Sam Camacho Jr. led the way for the TBolts offense, going 2-2 with a walk and a run scored. Kutney, Acosta, Lopez, Schmelzer, and Pegues all joined Camacho by hammering a hit apiece. Along with their seven base knocks, the TBolts worked nine walks, struck out seven Grays, and made multiple highlight plays in the infield. 

The TBolts will begin their regular season at Bethesda, where they will take on the Bethesda Big Train at Shirley Povich Field. First pitch is set for 7 pm, and will be streamed on the Thunderbolts YouTube channel. 

MEET THE MEDIA TEAM THAT WILL COVER THUNDERBOLTS BASEBALL ON THE WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN 2026

SILVER SPRING, MAY 31—With the season less than three days away, say hello to the members of the Thunderbolts media team that will bring you TBolts baseball on the web and on social media.

Some voices will be familiar but we have new three staffers who will broadcast each Thunderbolt game on the ThunderboltsBaseball YouTube Channel and post here with reports on the team’s efforts on the field. You met one already, Sam Bergstrom, whose article below on the TBolts in 2026, hit the site earlier today.

Click on over to the Media tab, then select Meet the Media team to see who they are and find out a bit about them. You will be reading and hearing from them a lot this summer when you follow TBolts baseball.

See ya at Blair but if you can’t be there, Thunderbolts media is the next best thing.

Play Ball.

THUNDERBOLTS PRIMED TO MAKE ‘26 SEASON DEBUT

By Sam Bergstrom
SS-Tbolts

SILVER SPRING, MAY 31—College is officially out of session, which means summertime baseball is back in the DMV. The Silver-Spring Takoma Thunderbolts are back for their 26th season, and are looking to bring the buzz for fans at Blair Baseball Stadium this summer. 

Head Coach Brock Hunter is entering his sixth season as TBolts skipper. His number one goal this summer—and every summer—is “to get the guys better and to make sure we have fun doing it.” Hunter especially looks to assist players who want to improve specific facets of their game, so they are best prepared for their upcoming collegiate campaigns. 

Despite the team having 30 new players, Hunter believes team chemistry is melding well after just three days of practice. “It’s just cool seeing guys from all different landscapes come together and be friends,” Hunter said. “You can already tell, guys are getting to know each other a lot.”

Along with the numerous newcomers, there are also eight players returning from last season’s roster. This includes Josh Erd (Sr., East Stroudsburg), who is back for his third summer with the TBolts. When asked what makes the Thunderbolts such a special summerball program, Erd said, “The culture and coaches here, all the boys, it’s a family here, man. It's really awesome. It's a good vibe over here all the time.” 

Other returning players include David Vozzo (Jr., Moravian), Griffin Puvel (Sr., Rider), and Brady Grimes (Jr., Millersville). While Grimes had a memorable 2025 season as a two-way player, he has since converted into a full-time pitcher. Grimes will start on the bump against Big Train on Tuesday for their regular season opener at Bethesda. 

Silver Spring-Takoma is sporting 21 pitchers and 17 position players on this year’s roster. The team also features one two-way player, Wade Hartrick (So., University of Chicago). The Boulder, Colorado native is hoping to contribute a healthy amount of hitting, catching, and pitching this season. 

This year’s team is also balanced with a wide array of college competition. Eight players hail from D1 schools, nine play at the D2 level, eleven play D3, and eight come from community college.

Hunter believes this variety can benefit everyone on the team. “I think, especially for the D2 and D3 guys, when they can have success against some of the D1 arms, like, you can hit anybody at the D2, D3 level,” he expressed. 

Above all, General Manager Dick O’Connor believes that the Thunderbolts can strengthen the Silver Spring-Takoma community in a heartfelt way.

“It's a two-way street. We try to encourage the fans to be interactive with the players, and we also encourage the players to be interactive with the fans.” O’Connor shared. “I always say, you never know. That kid who signed your bat, one day might be sitting in Cooperstown.” 

The Thunderbolts will hold a pre-season game this evening at 6 P.M. against the DC Grays at home. Their regular season debut will be against Bethesda Big Train on Tuesday, where they will duke it out against the defending regular season and league champs at Shirley Povich Field. The official home opener is set for Wednesday, June 3, against the Gaithersburg Giants; first pitch will be at 7 p.m. 

The TBolts will play 40 games—twenty at home, and twenty away— into late July. The full schedule can be found on the Thunderbolts website.

The Thunderbolts will broadcast all 40 games—home and away—on YouTube this season. Meet our Media Team on the Media tab. A link to the broadcasts is on Media/Live Games.

We hope to see many excited faces at Blair this season. As always, Go Bolts!

THE ROSTER GOES EVER ON…

SILVER SPRING, MAY 30—If J.R.R. Tolkien was a Thunderbolts fan and Bilbo Baggins had a season pass, they would both recognize that the roster of the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts will go ever on throughout the 2026 season.

It’s a snapshot in time, a living document, and a guide to the latest list of players who will grace Blair Baseball Stadium, as Bilbo sang it, “…through the merry flowers of June.”

So, go ahead and act as The Lord of the Links and click on About and Roster. Some of the information is missing and will be supplied in subsequent versions. But for now, this is what we’ve got.

Summer league baseball is coming and we can, “…look at last at meadows green.”

NEW 2026 THUNDERBOLTS PROGRAM NOW ON WEBSITE; GO TO ABOUT/PRINTED PROGRAM

The new printed program for the Thunderbolts 2026 season is now up on the Thunderbolts website. It has the latest information for the 2026 season, the schedule, streaming info, and biographies of the players.

Just go to the Top Menu, Select About, and choose Printed Program.

Enjoy!

SECIAL NIGHTS COMING UP FOR TBOLTS AT BLAIR

SILVER SPRING, MAY 29—There are two special nights coming up for Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at Blair Baseball Stadium in June. First is a special night for the Scouts at Blair on Sunday, June 7, at 6 pm vs the Bethesda Big Train.

Second is a special night for Silver Spring-Takoma Park Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues. That game is also a Sunday game against the Olney Cropdusters at Blair.

As always, we’ll see ya at Blair.

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