The Trenton Thunder played their final home game last night against the Frederick Keys, where they lost 10-7 to fall to 27-40 on the season. It was also Fireworks Night for the fans as the attendance was over 5,000 fans who showed their support for the Thunder. They would have liked the outcome to be better, but Sunday was a great moment for the players to play in front of amazing fans who come to watch Trenton Thunder baseball.
Jersey Sporting News did a video reel with Thunder players like DJ Wilkinson and Sam Freedman, along with former Thunder player Calvin Rucker talking about their best moments playing in front of the fans at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Most current players brought up the walk-off win two nights ago, with Christian Merriwether hitting an RBI double to win the game for Trenton.
Jersey Sporting News spoke to Trenton Thunder General Manager Jeff Hurley before Sunday's game. Hurley started the conversation by discussing the 2022 season and eight players being drafted from the team.
"Yeah, I think it was good, the first half certainly eight guys drafted, a few others picked up in the free agency. We had a really talented team. The good thing is I don't have to concentrate on the baseball side, but from what I watched, I felt we could have had a few more depending on signability and stuff like that. The guys who returned to college who didn't get drafted will be fun to follow over the next year."
Hurley talking about outfielder Ryan McCarthy's impact this season for the team.
"I haven't gotten to know Ryan too well, but I did see him help out tarping the field. He joined us, I think about midway through the first half. For someone to be there during the first half and then during the second half, it's been fun to watch. He is having a good year batting over .200 and team MVP. Hopefully he gets a shot either after this season or next season."
Jersey Sporting News also spoke to Trenton Thunder's bat boy and high school baseball player phenom Zach Linn about his experience with the team this summer.
"It has been amazing, one of the best experiences I ever had. I mean, the players are great, the coaching staff just phenomenal, all the players that came through here, whether home or away, has been phenomenal. They have been teaching me a lot about the game. Coaches have given me insight on the game if I asked a question, just awesome."
Linn talks about being a great baseball player in high school.
"It has been challenging at times, but other times has been just easy, but like I just love baseball. It is a thing that I do. Baseball has been like if I had any trouble with anything, just hitting off the tee to get my mind off of it. Jeff (Manto) has been giving me lessons, letting me hit with the players, hitting off the machine. It was interesting."
Zach Linn on learning from Shemar Page and Connor VanCleave, who are also two-way players for Trenton.
"I have learned that it's difficult like when you grow older your going to have to pick a side, VanCleave and Page has done a phenomenal job on the mound and hitting that they make it look easy."
Zach Linn on what he is most looking forward to for his upcoming season.
"So I am looking forward to going to a new school (Conwell-Egan Catholic High School). I am going to be coached by Jeff Manto, which is awesome. I mean, getting coached by someone with like as much experience as him it's going to be phenomenal and going into a new school, making new friends. Also the conference is ten times better. The PCL is probably the best conference in the Philly area."
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