Frederick, MD – Keys bats came alive late to rally and walk-off winners, 7-6.  Kirkland Banks continued to shine in the clutch as he drove in the winning run.

After a scoreless first inning, the Thunder scored the first run of the game in the top of second.  With runners on first and second base, Jack Lynch singled to right field and drove in Justin Guerrera.

The Thunder struck again in the top of the fifth inning when Dan Covino flew out to right field and drove in Lynch and extended the lead to 2-0.

The Keys got a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning when Hylan Hall singled to centerfield on a line drive and drove in Hernan Yanez. 

The Thunder extended the lead in the top of the seventh, when they plated two runs. First Lynch scored when Covino flew out to left field. Then Merriwether scored when Ramon Jimenez scorched a single down the third base line and made it 4-1 Thunder.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Thunder scored two more runs and extended their lead to 6-1.  Covino was clutch again when he doubled and drove in Anthony Abbatine and Lynch.

The Keys answered with five runs in the bottom of the eighth and tied the game at 6. With Yanez on second and Banks on third, Hall singled to centerfield and drove both in and cut the Thunder’s lead to three. Zaid Walker followed with a single and Trenton Jamison walked to load the bases.  Noah Martinez drove in two more runs when he doubled to the gap in right centerfield and made it 6-5. Logan Thomason drove in Jamison when he flew out to deep centerfield and knotted the game.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Keys would score the winning run and take the victory, 7-6.  Drew Reckart led off the top of the ninth with a walk and advanced to second on a successful sacrifice bunt by Yanez.  Banks followed with a well struck line drive single to left field and drove in Reckart to complete the comeback.

The Keys return to the field tomorrow at 7 PM against the Thunder.