Brad Bode and Brian Synatzske led the offense Thursday night as the birds dropped the Royals 6-2. Synatzske was 4-4 with 4 singles, 2 stolen bases, 2 runs scored and an RBI while Bode was 2 for 4 with a 3-run HR… his second of the season. Other Thunderbirds collecting hits on the night were: Bodie Wilson with 2 and Brent Smerczynski, Fabian Mendive, Brad Petty and Jeff Whanger.

Smerczynski got the win for the birds on the mound, throwing a CG giving up one earned run while notching 6 strikeouts.

The Thunderbirds look to stay alive and move to the loser’s bracket finals when they face off with the Modoc Tuesday at Graham Field at 8:45pm

The Thunderbirds left their gloves at home and squandered an early lead to fall to the spirits 11-5 at Graham park. Bodie Wilson was the tough luck loser for the birds while only giving up 2 earned runs.

Hits: Brent Smerczynski (2), Brian Synatzske, Jody Nicewonger, Brad Bode (2), Justin Toona, Fabian Mendive, Nathan Larmon
Runs Batted In: Brian Synatzske (2), Brad Bode (2)

Despite a rough showing in the field early on, the Thunderbirds buckled down, rallied in the bottom of the 7th and knocked of the Dodgers 6-5 Thursday night at Reverchon Park. Brent Smerczynski got the win in a complete game effort giving up 1 earned run and racking up nine K’s on the night. After working around a some errors, broken bat singles and flares in the first few innings, no runner passed 1st base the remainder of the night. The Birds scored 2 unearned runs early, but fell behind 5-2 where it stayed until the 7th despite several hard hit balls right at defenders and a few diving catches for the Dodgers to kill rallies.

In the 7th inning, Jody Nicewonger led off the inning with a line drive single to right center, but was erased when his pinch runner was doubled off first after the Dodger 2nd baseman snagged a laser up the middle from Brad Petty. Down to their last out, down 3 and with the bases empty, the Thunderbirds mounted a rally for the ages. Phil Luna worked a gritty at bat ending in a walk. Brian Synatzske then singled to left center putting runners at 1st and 2nd. Bodie Wilson then fouled off several tough pitches before taking a fastball to the back to load the bases. Smerczynski then laced a outside fastball to left center for a bases clearing double to tie the game at 5. After a Dodger pitching change, the first pitch was a passed ball sending Smerczynski to third and an errant throw to third sailed into left field allowing him to score the game ending and winning run.

The Thunderbirds were led at the plate by Smerczynski with 2 hits and 3 RBIs, Synatzske and Nicewonger with 2 hits and runs scored apiece. Other birds collecting hits were Wilson with a single and 2 runs scored and Fabian Mendive.

The win puts the Birds in the the quarterfinals where they will square off against the Spirits Tuesday night at Graham field.

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Player of the Game

Brent Smerczynski

2-4, 2B, R, 3 RBIs
7 IP, 1 ER, 9 K

The Thunderbirds finished the regular season in wild fashion squeaking out a 8-7 victory over the Dallas Spirits at McInnish Park. Bodie Wilson threw a complete game to earn the victory. Wilson dominated early and thwarted a late Spirit rally and finished the night with 8 strikeouts.
At the plate, the Thunderbirds were led by Brent Smerczynski and Wilson each collecting 3 hits. Other Thunderbirds collecting hits were Brad Bode and Brad Petty with 2 apiece and Brian Synatzske, Fabian Mendive, Nathan Larmon and Phil Luna each getting one.
The offense came out swinging in the top of the 1st with the first 6 batters getting singles and 4 scoring to take a 4-0 lead. After making the score 4-2 in the 4th the birds added 1 run in the 4th and 2 in the 5th to take a commanding 7-3 lead. The spirits did not buckle and promptly scored 4 runs in the top of the 6th to tie the game and setting the stage for Bode to score the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
Thunderbirds take on the Dodgers in the 1st round of the Playoffs at Reverchon Park.

Errors and minimal offense killed the Thunderbirds Tuesday night in a makeup game at Graham field where the Thunderbirds fell to the Astros 4-2. Brent Smerczynski took the loss despite no earned runs and 7 Ks. The birds look to shake this off and finish strong against the Spirits to finish the season.

Hits: Jeff Whanger, Brian Synatzske, Jody Nicewonger, Mark Adams (3), Chris Crombar, Greg Anderson
Runs Batted In: Nathan Larmon