Thunder starting pitcher Codi Scott throws to the plate against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder manager Shawn Chacon, right, talks with right fielder Jaden Sheffield, left, in the dugout during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Taylor Belza bats against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Jaden Sheffield swings at the ball against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder relief pitcher Paulo Noris throws to the plate against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Aaron Whitley smiles as he looks at his bat after it broke when he made contact with the ball against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Carsten Sabathia is high-fived by teammates in the dugout after he scored a run in the first inning against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Juju Stevens leads away from the second base bag against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder second baseman Rowan Masse throws the ball to first base to record an out against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder shortstop Logan Dawson fields the ball against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder first baseman Carsten Sabathia signs an autograph for a young fan before an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder batboy Tommy Smith in action during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder mascot Boomer looks at the video board for a Happy Birthday message from the team during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder president Jeff Hurley walks on the field before an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder general manager Jon Bodnar walks on the field during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Carsten Sabathia dodges out of the way of an inside pitch against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Thunder’s Jaden Sheffield looks on from outside the dugout during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
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Thunder starting pitcher Codi Scott throws to the plate against Frederick during an MLB Draft League game on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
TRENTON — The Thunder finished the first week of the MLB Draft League season much better than they started it.
Jakob Poturnak was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Thunder walked off with a 6-5 victory over the Frederick Keys on Sunday afternoon to take the rubber game of the series.
The Thunder (2-3) needed a run in the ninth after they coughed up the lead in top half of the frame when Frederick’s Bruin Agbayani beat out a potential game-ending doubleplay ball.
The Keys led 4-1 after plating three runs in a sloppy defensive fifth inning for the Thunder, but the home team rallied with runs in each of the last four frames.
Poturnak singled home JuJu Stevens in the eighth to put the Thunder up 5-4. Stevens has been one of the more impress players in the first week as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the first inning and upped his average to .368.
The Thunder dropped the first three games of the season before getting in the win column with a 17-3 romp over the Keys (2-3) on Saturday night.
After an off day on Monday, the Thunder are on the road for the first time when they begin a three-game set at Mahoning Valley on Tuesday.