Thrillbillies find success in first homestand

MARION - The Thrillville Thrillbillies wrapped up their first homestand of the year Thursday night with a 9-5 win over the Decatur Bean Ballers, giving them a 2-1 record before they hit the road for weekend games against the Cape Catfish Friday, and the O'Fallon Hoots Saturday and Sunday.

Thrillville's offense has done its part through the first three games, scoring 24 runs. The Billies fell to the Terre Haute Rex in their season opener, 13-7, before bouncing back against O'Fallon Wednesday night, 8-3.

Interim manager Patrick Morey, who is in charge while new manager Josh Foreman, leads the University of Indianapolis baseball team in the Division II World Series, said things have clicked well for Thrillville because of players participating in voluntary work.

"A lot of our early stuff is optional because it's such a long summer for the guys. But they've come out and got their work in," Morey said. "I think that's done a lot in getting them back into rhythm quicker. Game one was a little slow, but the last two have been pretty good offensively and on the mound."

Foreman won't be the only new face when he manages his first game in Thrillville. Nearly every player on this summer's roster is a new player. Morey said while players find their roles on the team, there are a few who have been producing at the plate and on the bump.

"Freddy Ragsdale III (.333 average, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, 3 stolen bases) has done a really good job at the top of the lineup for us. Carter Walters (.333 average, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, 1 stolen base) has been playing out of position at first base, but he'll get his first start in the outfield for us tonight (Friday)," Morey said.

"On the mound, I probably need to give Trenton Roehler (1 start, 5 innings pitched, 2 runs, 4 strikeouts) the most credit. Getting him through five in the first week, and on a limited pitch count, is huge.

"Jacob Ross (1 appearance, 2 and 1/3 innings pitched, 0 runs, 1 strikeout) has been good out of the bullpen," Morey said. "Klayton Wright (1 appearance, 3 innings pitched, 0 runs, 2 strikeouts) and Jayden Ohmer (1 appearance, 3 innings pitched, 2 runs) saved us in game one, where we were down late but didn't have to run through four or five arms."

Ragsdale said he believes the freedom he and his teammates have about how they get their reps in has allowed the team to play loose.

"It's been pretty easy. All the other guys are pretty cool, and coaches give us a lot of freedom to do what we want," Ragsdale said. "It's professional. Get in, do your work, and see what happens."

Morey said he likes what he's seen from the relief corps because of the way the pitchers have gone right after hitters, keeping them on the mound for longer outings.

"Even though you may be a one-inning guy in the spring, if you really attack guys and get outs early in counts, all of a sudden you're pitching three innings," he said.

Wright said the key for him has been limiting free passes. He walked one in his three innings of work against Terre Haute.

"Trust in myself to throw strikes. You can't defend walks," Wright said.

Thrillville has shown flashes of both power and speed. While the Billies have yet to hit a home run, they've smacked one double and legged out four triples. They've also stolen eight bases in 10 attempts.

"We wanted guys who have some juice who may hit doubles at home, but bombs on the road," Morey, who helped construct the roster, said. "They can't be base cloggers, though, because of the ballpark we play in. So we were looking for guys who can handle the bat and push the wall a little bit.

"I think we've done a good job of that, mixing guys who are more speed threats, but not relying on one way or the other."

As the season ramps up and the summer gets really busy for the Thrillbillies, Morey said the key to sustaining success is players acclimating to the newness of the Prospect League.

"Get comfortable playing every day. Get comfortable swinging the wood bat," he said. "The schedule is a lot different in the sense of how we work on a day-to-day basis. So getting used to those small things is what I hope to see."

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