Your Thunderbirds finally opened the 2023 season Thursday night with a few new faces that each contributed on the mound, at the plate and in the field. Unfortunately, the birds let an early 4-0 lead slip away resulting in a tie against the Orioles.

The Thunderbirds used a trio of pitchers on the night. Brent Smerczynski tossed 2 scoreless innings on 1 hit with 4Ks to start the night. Billy Coleman came on in relief tossing 2 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits with 1 K. Marc Boggio closed out the night, tossing the final 3 innings giving up 3 unearned runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3.

The birds got on the board first in the bottom of the second. Don Massoud singled and scored after a groundball by Abdiel Rivera was misplayed by the 2nd baseman and thrown away by the right fielder. Jeremiah West promptly crushed a two run shot to left to make it 3-0. Rob Carroll singled the next inning and moved to 3rd after a failed pickoff attempt. Smerczynski drove him in with a sacrifice fly to deep left to run the score to 4-0.

Boggio was the other Tbird collecting a hit on the night for the birds. They return to action next week and try to get in the win column against defending Champions Modoc.

So close….but just short. Your NTX Thunderbirds split…drop Championship Series to Modoc

In Game 1, the Tbirds dropped the Modoc 7-3 to force the winner-take-all “if” game.

Marc Boggio earned the victory on the hill for the Thunderbirds. Boggio was stellar, allowing five hits and three runs (2 earned) over seven innings, striking out six Modoc batters.

The Thunderbirds racked up nine hits. Sean House, Brent Smerczynski, and John Menth each collected 2 hits apiece. Other birds collecting hits on the night included Dustin Harrison, Boggio and Bodie Wilson.

In Game 2, Thunderbirds 35+ fought back after falling down by six runs in the fourth inning. The comeback fell just short though, in an 8-6 defeat. The Thunderbirds scored four runs in the failed comeback on a singles by Marc Boggio, Don Massoud, Bodie Wilson and Jeff Whanger, with a walk by Rob Carroll, a sacrifice fly by Cliff Brade, and an RBI double by Brent Smerczynski where he represented the tying run before Modoc shut the door.

Thunderbirds 35+ collected 11 hits on the night. John Menth, Massoud and Whanger each had 2 hits. Brade, Smerczynski, Boggio, Rob Carroll and Wilson also had hits on the night.

Wilson took the loss for the Thunderbirds. The righty pitcher surrendered seven runs (3 earned) over three innings, striking out two. Sean House finished the game, tossing 2 innings while giving up 1 run and striking out 1.

Your NTX Thunderbirds finish the season as league runner up for the second year with a 14-5-1 record.

Your NTX Thunderbirds lost a heartbreaker Wednesday night in the opener of the Championship Series against Modoc in the last inning 7-4.

Dustin Harrison was the offensive stalwart, going 2 for 3 with a double, a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Matt Allen also added a single and double on the night. Other Tbirds collecting hits on the night include Cliff Brade (with 3 SBs), Don Massoud and Bodie Wilson.

On the mound Brent Smerczynski took the loss for the Thunderbirds. The lefty battled back and forth with Modoc ace Adam Gremillion. Both tossed complete games. Smerczynski gave up 4 earned runs, but Modoc scratched across 3 runs in the last inning after the birds battled back to tie the game the half inning prior.

The Birds are down 1 game to 0 in the best of 3 series and need to win the first game tonight at 6:45pm to keep hopes alive and force a winner take all game 3 at 9pm tonight.

Marc Boggio will get the start on the mound in game 2 with Wilson slated for the if game.

Games will be played at Graham Field at Prestonwood again tonight.

Your NTX Thunderbirds took the lead late in the game in a 14-3 victory over Oak Cliff Pelicans Thursday night. The game was tied at 3 after 2 innings, but the birds opened things up with 5 runs in the 4th and 6 more in the 5th.

Bodie Wilson was the winning pitcher for Thunderbirds. The righthander allowed five hits and three unearned runs over five innings, striking out five to improve to 5-1 on the year.

The Thunderbirds racked up 13 hits. Rob Carroll, Ryan Karonka, John Menth, and Matt Allen each had multiple hits. Other Thunderbirds collecting hits on the night included Cliff Brade with a 2-run homer, Brent Smerczynski, Jody Nicewonger and Jeff Whanger. 10 of the 11 birds had RBIs on the night, but Allen and Brade led the way with 3 each.

Last night’s win sends the Thunderbirds into the Championship Series to take on the defending champion Modoc. Game 1 takes place Wednesday evening at 7pm with Game 2 taking place Thursday at 6:45pm and the “if” game to played immediately following. All Championship Series games will be play at Graham Field @ Prestonwood.

Your NTX Thunderbirds beat the Oak Cliff Pelicans 7-4 on Thursday leaving them 1 win away from the Championship Series

Brent Smerczynski was the winning pitcher for Thunderbirds improving to 7-1. Smerczynski tossed a complete game, allowing 3 earned runs on 10 scattered hits, walking 1 and striking out an impressive 11 Pelican batters.

Thunderbirds got things moving in the second inning. Rob Carroll hit a solo homer to start the scoring and added 2 more on an RBI single by Matt Allen and a fielder’s choice by Sean House. Thunderbirds put up three runs in the third inning. John Menth, Don Massoud, and Marc Boggio each had RBIs in the frame. Other Thunderbirds collecting hits on the night include Smerczynski and Ryan Karonka and House.

The 12-3-1 T-birds return to play game 2 of the series next Thursday 7/28 at a time and place to still be determined