On a warm but not too humid Tuesday night, the Warren Thunder Chickens made the eastward trek to take on the Bradford Ramblers at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in a U9 baseball matchup. This was game one in a home-and-home series between the two clubs, and saw the visiting Thunder Chickens get a win over the hard-nosed hometown Ramblers.

In the top of the first, leadoff batter Titus Hoak wasted no time for the Thunder Chickens hitting a single, and later stealing and advancing to home to open the scoring at 1-0. Ramblers pitcher Blake Sherk was able to limit the damage by striking out two batters to end the inning. The Ramblers came out swinging in the bottom half, looking to erase the lead. With Theo Andersen on the mound, Bryce Crappio ledoff the game with a single. Jack Cannon was next to bat and came up with a big hit of his own, putting a double out into center field. Unfortunately for the Ramblers the Thunder Chickens made an impressive throw and tag to get Crappio out at the plate trying to score on the play. Andersen did his best to try and wiggle out of the inning but after allowing another base runner Cannon was able to take home on a passed ball and even the score at 1-1. The second inning saw the Thunder Chickens put more pressure on the Ramblers as Luca Pellegrino laid a perfectly placed bunt with two runners on that resulted in two more runs coming in. In the top of the fourth Crappio relieved Sherk (3IP, 4Ks), and the Thunder Chickens offense came to life. Finn Ristan, Pete Bailey and Theo Andersen all had hits to start the inning and extended the lead to 5-1. Beau Havers, catcher for the Ramblers, did his part to limit the damage throwing out a runner trying to steal third, but at the end of the inning the score was 9-1 in favor of the visiting team.

The Ramblers were not going to go away quietly though. The bottom of the fourth saw patient, smart at bats from the Ramblers. Crappio, Sherk and Rowan Miller drew walks to load the bases for Buck Reid. Reid drew a walk of his own to score a run, as did Emmett Speaker. After putting Gage Brinsky on base as well the score was quickly 9-4 and the home team was back in it. Titus Hoak relieved Pete Bailey and was able to induce two strikeouts to keep the Thunder Chickens 5 run lead in-tract.

Jack Cannon took over on the mound for the final two innings for the Ramblers and dazzled with 3ks and only 1 run allowed. He was helped on defense by Miller who took over at catcher and threw out a runner of his own. Unfortunately for the Ramblers, Thunder Chickens pitcher Titus Hoak went toe-to-toe with Cannon and had 4 more K’s over the final two innings to shut the door and preserve the 10-4 win.

Both teams had impressive showings and are excited to play again next week. The second game in the series is scheduled for a 7pm first pitch on Tuesday the 22nd with Warren hosting.