Thunderbolts Strike Late with 12-Run Barrage to Topple Titans

It is better late then never. That phrase took on new meaning on Monday afternoon at Mickey Stevens Complex in Warwick.

The Cranston East Thunderbolts (1-3) matched up against Toll Gate (2-2) in a boys baseball game. Down to their last three outs, the Thunderbolts pulled off an incredible comeback victory, winning 15-11.

After both sides were retired in order in the first inning, East had an opportunity to score in their half of the second. Thunderbolts senior Dan Muncy stepped up to the plate with runners on 1st and third and two outs. Muncy got good contact and lined it to short, but Tyler McLaughlin made a diving catch preventing a run from scoring.

The Titans proceeded to squander an opportunity to score in the bottom of the second, failing to score with runners on the corners and no outs.

East got on the scoreboard first as Ivan Reyes double to right center drove in a run in the top of the third. The Bolts could not add to their lead and Reyes was stranded at second base.

East sophomore starting pitcher Taylor Pacific was pitching at the varsity level for the first time. In the bottom of the third, he got himself into trouble with two walks to open the inning.

McLaughlin had an infield single, picking up an RBI on the play tying the game at one. Junior Jason Shushtari drove in two runs on a single to right center giving the Titans a 3-1 lead. They added one more run before Pacific recorded two outs retiring the side.

The Thunderbolts cut into the lead picking up a run in the fourth and fifth innings, cutting their deficit to 4-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, the floodgates began to open. The Titans scored five runs, with captain Michael Giard leading the way. Giard picked up two RBI's during the inning, as he drove in three of the team's first six runs. Pacific began to unravel, giving up three walks in the inning and had two wild pitches.

No one would have expected how the final innings would play out. The Titans needed to record three outs to secure the victory, but East had other plans. Their offense came to life in the top of the 7th, as they scored a whopping seven runs to take a 10-9 lead.

Junior Bob D'Arezzo had the biggest hit of the inning picking up two RBI's with a double to center field, which gave the Bolts the 10-9 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th.

Cody Lindell and Paul Spodolonis led the Thunderbolts with three RBI's apiece.

East's Kyle Tracy entered the game with a save opportunity, but could not shut the door. A two out RBI double by Ben Mann, tied the game at 10 and the game would head to extra innings.

The Bolts took advantage of pitching mistakes by the Titans in the top of the eighth. They scored the first three runs of a five run inning, on a walk, hit by pitch, and a past ball. Spodolonis picked up his final two RBI's with a grounder up the middle, extending East's lead to 15-10.

The Titans managed to muster one run in the bottom of the inning, but the Bolts lead was never in jeopardy. Toll Gate only had one baserunner in the inning. East won by the final of 15-11. Cranston East is scheduled for a game tomorrow and a rivalry game against West on Thursday.

Thunderbolts head coach, Mike Walsh, was pleased with the offense. "In the first few games we were not doing what we should at the plate," he said, "We started to hit the ball well and get some hard outs today."

David Hagopian, Titans head coach, was not pleased with how the game ended. "We have to learn how to finish games," he said, "We have to learn how to play with our heads."