Your NTX Thunderbirds head to the Championship Series after pulling out a hard fought 6-3 over the Modoc Thursday night at McInnish Park.

Sean House started on the mound going the first 3 1/3 innings but left after Modoc scratched across 3 runs in the 4th to take a 3-0 lead. Brent Smerczynski got the win for the Thunderbirds relieving House in the 4th and finishing the game holding Modoc scoreless while collecting 3 strikeouts.

After falling behind 3-0, Bo Vaculik started the comeback with a one out single. The birds pushed across their first run after a Jeff Whanger HBP, a groundout and 2 more HBP by Ryan Karonka and John Menth. That set the stage for Dustin Harrison, who promptly laced a bases clearing 3 run double to the fence in left center to give the Thunderbirds the 4-3 lead. 2 insurance runs were added in the 6th and 7th when Smerczynski scored on a wild pitch after working a leadoff walk and Karonka scored on a Don Massound sacrifice fly after leading off the 7th with a single to right. Other Thunderbirds collecting hits include Cliff Brade and Rob Carroll.

The Thunderbirds will face Monday’s Modoc/Pelicans winner Thursday night at First Baptist at 6:30pm

It took a week, but the Thunderbirds used a strong pitching performance and some late game offense to drop the Pelicans 4-3 and advance to the semifinals.

Brent Smerczynski earned the win for the Thunderbirds tossing another complete game. He went 8 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits while picking up 5 strikeouts.

After falling behind 2-0 in the 3rd inning, the birds used a 2 out rally to cut the deficit to 1, when Cliff Brade got one of his 3 hits on the night. He quickly stole the first of his 3 bags before being driven in by a Ryan Karonka single. The Pelicans added an unearned insurance run in the 5th to lead 3-1. That score held until the birds last at bat.

John Menth led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, followed by Sean House reaching on an error by the right fielder. Smerczynski then hit a 2-run triple to right center to tie the game at 3 and forcing extra innings.

After a scoreless top of 8th by Smerczynski, Jody Nicewonger led off the bottom half with a walk followed by a walk by Karonka. After a lineout to left center, Rob Carroll singled to left center, but the trail runner was caught in a rundown for the 2nd out leaving runners on 2nd and 3rd. Dustin Harrison was intentionally walked to load the bases. John Menth stepped in and promptly laced a 2-0 curveball up the middle to score Nicewonger for the walk off win.

The Thunderbirds return to action next week (9/2) to face Modoc in the semifinals. The game will be held at McInnish Park #11 for a 6:45pm contest.

Your NTX Thunderbirds will be sending 5 players to the NTABL 35+ Charity All Star Game benefitting Scottish Rite for Children on August 29, 2021 at Frisco Roughriders Stadium:

Brent Smerczynski-P/1B
Don Massoud-3B/C
Dustin Harrison-DH/SS
John Menth-LF
Ryan Karonka-RF

Kids are free to attend and donations can be made to:

http://community.tsrhc.org/NTABL_Donation

The NTX Thunderbirds used great pitching and a relentless attack at the plate to shout out the Dodgers 7-0 Thursday night at McInnish Park.

Brent Smerczynski was dominant on the mound for the Birds, pitching 6 shutout inning while only giving up 2 hits and striking out three. Jon Ward threw a scoreless 7th to finish off the night.

At the plate, John Menth, Smerczynski and Dustin Harrison each had multiple hits on the night. Menth went 3 for 4 while Smerczynski and Harrison added a single and a double each on the night. Other members getting hits on the night include Cliff Brade, who also notched 3 stolen bases, Rob Carroll and Don Massoud who notched his 3rd homerun of the year with a 2-run shot to left in the 6th.

The win improves the Birds season record to 6-4, currently in 2nd place, 2 games back of league leading Modoc who they face next week for a 6:30pm contest at Prestonwood.

Your NTX Thunderbirds continue to struggle with the Pelicans this season, squandering a 3-0 lead late to fall 4-3 Thursday night a graham field.

The birds jumped out to a quick 2- 0 lead in the 2nd inning. Don Massoud led off with a stinging double down the left field line, moved to third on a passed ball and was driven in by Brent Smerczynski. Brad Bode followed with a walk and scored when starting pitcher Sean house helped his own cause dropping a single into right field. The birds added to the lead in the 4th when Smerczynski scored from 1st on a 2-out double to right center by Rob Carroll. Other birds collecting hits on the night were Ryan Karonka with a double.

House was saddled with the loss on the night. He was dominant the first 5 innings scattering 3 hits and not giving up a run while striking out 2. The Pelicans made their run in the bottom of the 6th getting on the board with 3 straight hits and a HBP to make it 3-1 and loading the bases. Dustin Harrison relieved House and after a walk, a K and a single, the game was tied with 1 out. The Pelicans scored the eventual winning run on a failed pickoff attempt at first.

The loss drops the Thunderbird’s record to 5-4-1, but still cling to 2nd place. They return to action next Thursday against the Dodgers for a 6:30pm contest at McInnish Park #11.