Bethesda breaks all-time wins record

Bethesda already had 1st place locked up, but they still played hard, trying for the record setting win. Bethesda started off with runs in the first 4 innings. Making the score 5-0 going into the bottom of the 4th where Elliot Waterman got into trouble allowing 2 runs. He also allowed 2 runners on base the next inning before an out was recorded. Patrick Keane came in to relieve Waterman but both runners scored. Ben Carson scored next inning to make it 5-5. But Keane was solid from there on until he was relieved with 2 outs in the 8th for David Wayne Russo who pitched the last 4 outs. Bethesda started off the 9th with Adam Barry and Tucker Tobin drawing walks. Brenden Kalfus layed down a perfect bunt to move up the runners. Brennan Middleton came in to pinch hit for Daryl Norris and walked to load the bases. Mason Morioka hit a single to left field scoring Barry and Tobin for the game winning runs.

Notable Performances :
Adam Barry (2-4) 2 Runs, 2 RBI, Walk, 2 Doubles
Mason Morioka (2-4) Run, 3 RBI, Walk

South All Stars hold on to lead, Morley wins derby

The HR Derby was delayed by a little sprinkle, but was played in full.
In the 1st round (of 2) Jordan Poole (Redbirds) hit bombs, I think he hit 8, I dont remember because I was in the field catching them. But it was him and Jacob Morley, who I think had 4 HRs. Morley won. Again i'm sorry I don't have all of the details, you can probably find them on the Big Trains e-mail, you can sign up for it at bigtrain.org on the right side of the page.

In the actual game, Matt Bowman started, he threw one inning, allowing a walk and no runs.
Martin Agosta pitched in the 2nd with a perfect inning with 2 k's.
Austin Poretz (Nationals) pitched in the 3rd allowing 2 hits and a walk but no runs. Alex Hudak saved him with an awesome throw to Hunter Renfroe from left field to nail the runner at the plate by a mile.
Kelly Secrest (4th inning) and Tucker Donahue (6th inning) also pitched perfect innings.
Mike Aldrete came in to pitch in the 8th with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. The runner on 2nd was the game tying run. He pitched out of it and pitched the 9th perfect as well.

Big Train Hitters

Alex Hudak 2-4 Run
Adam Barry 0-4
Hunter Renfroe 0-3 K
Brenden Kalfus 1-2 Run
Michael Bass 1-3 HBP

MVP : Alex Hudak (Game saving throw in the 3rd, 2-4 run)
Runner-up / My honorable mention :  Ryan Dietrich 2-2, 2 RBI, 2 Doubles
And you can't forget to mention Chris Bzozowski's bomb to center field over the scoreboard in the 8th!
And during scouting day, earlier in the day, Big Train's catcher Hunter Renfroe threw 98 MPH off of the mound. 98!!!!!!

Big Train go into final week on fire

Bethesda has won 31 games now this season tying their all time high, by beating the Nationals twice. The Big Train have clinched 1st place, and are trying to break their wins record tonight in Silver Spring.
Saturday, the Big Train put on another talent show by lighting up all of the 4 Nationals pitchers for 11 runs and shutting out the Nationals and only allowing 3 hits. Martin Agosta pitched 6 solid innings with 9 strikeouts, no walks, and only 3 hits. Mike Frank pitched the last 3 perfect, recording 3 k's. Daryl Norris hit a sac fly in the 2nd to start the scoring.  Brenden Kalfus doubled in the 3rd scoring Adam Barry. Mike Aldrete hit a 2-run homer plating Daryl Norris. The scoring held off until the 7th when Bethesda scored 4 runs on 3 hits including a homer from Brenden Kalfus scoring Adam Barry and Hunter Renfroe. And in the 8th, 5 straight hits added 3 more runs. Hits from Middleton, Hudak, Barry, Tobin (PH for Renfroe), and Kalfus.
Player of the game : Brenden Kalfus (4-5, 5 RBI, 2 Runs, 3-run HR, 2B)

Monday, Bethesda went to Waldorf to play the Nationals again were they were down after the first inning 2-1. But they fought back in the 4th with 3 runs all with 2 outs with Mississippi State's Daryl Norris starting the rally with a double, followed by a double from Brennan Middleton to tie it. Drew Farber walked. The a balk by the pitcher moved both runners into scoring position for Matt Bowman as he hit a single that scored 1 run. Another unearned run by the Nationals in the 5th but the only 1 run behind, but they were shut down the rest of the game by Cameron Love and Mike Kent. Love went 7 long innings facing 29 batters and striking out 6. Only 1 run against him was earned due to errors by Adam Barry (3B) and Drew Farber (C). Bethesda got an insurance run in the 7th on Brenden Kalfus' RBI single, but it didn't matter as Bethesda won by 2.
Player of the game : Daryl Norris (2-4, with a double and a run, and he triggered the rally in the 4th inning to lead the Big Train to victory.)

Doubleheader sweep

Bethesda's first doubleheader of the season turned out nicely on Wednesday as they won both games against the struggling Thunderbolts. The first game was a shutout pitched by Matt Bowman who threw a 7 inning complete game. Bowman only allowed 3 baserunners on hits and struck out 8 batters. Adam Barry had a double and a sac fly, and 2 RBI, and Landon Appling had 2 hits.
The second game was owned by Hunter Renfroe who had 3 hits and 3 RBI. Bethesda jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after the first on Adam Barry's RBI single. The T-Bolts scored in the 3rd to tie it. But it wasnt tied for long as Hunter Renfroe hit a 2 RBI single scoring Michael Bass for his 2nd time of the night and Tim Wise. Renfroe added an insurance run in the 6th inning on his 2nd homer of the season. He even came in to pitch in the 7th and recorded the save, he allowed a run and left runners on base, but still managed to get the 3rd out. Bethesda improves to 13-3 on the season.

The Big Train is back on track

After Bethesda's hitting slump, they finally got off to a good start against Herndon Sunday, scoring a first inning run against Herndon's Chris Franzese. Ryan Garton made his Big Train debut on Sunday, allowing only 1 run in 4 innings. Bethesda added a couple runs in the 3rd on 2 hits by Mike Aldrete, who hit a double, and Adam Barry who scored Aldrete on a single and later scored. Herndon scored only 1 run in the 4th and 7th. Only 1 run was earned because of a fielders choice in the 7th inning. Mike Frank and Victor Diaz also made Big Train pitching debuts, combining to pitch the 5,6,7, and 8th innings. Mike Frank ran into trouble with the bases loaded in the 7th, but Victor Diaz shut the Braves down until Matt Bowman came on to finish the game in the 9th. The top of the order came through offensively for Bethesda as Michael Bass, Mike Aldrete, Adam Barry, and Hunter Renfroe combined for 8 hits, 4 runs, 6 RBI, and 3 extra base hits.
In the previous few games, the Big Train were saving all of their hits for yesterday when they slaughtered Alexandria. Bethesda got 18 hits, hitting against all 5 Aces pitchers. Alexandria lead after the first inning 1-0, but starter Cameron Love was solid from there on until he was relieved in the 8th inning. He recorded 9 strikeouts. Almost everyone hit for Bethesda and they had 5 pinch hitters/fielders, including Victor Diaz who played LF adding to the hits with a RBI single in the 8th. Hunter Renfroe and Alex Hudak both homered yesterday at 4 mile run park. Renfroe hit a 3 run homer while Hudak hit a solo homer to lead off the 3rd inning. John Barrett (Frostburg State) hit a homer for Alexandria in the 8th inning off of Martin Agosta who pitched the 8th with 2 strikeouts. Mike Aldrete pitched the 9th inning 3 up, 3 down on strikes. The Big Train look like a new team in the last 2 games, they will face the worst pitching team, the Thunderbolts in a doubleheader Wednesday at 5 and 7:30. Silver Spring's offense is lead by league leader in batting average Bill Gerstenslager who had 4 hits, including a homerun and 2 doubles against Bethesda last time we played them.

Big Train win over Thunderbolts in extras

The Big Train played their first extra inning and away game of the season in Silver Spring to face the Thunderbolts. The Big Train jumped out to an early lead against T-Bolts pitcher Chris Acker scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning. The T-Bolts later regained those 2 runs with one each in the 2nd and 4th to tie the game. Bethesda had a rally going in the 5th to score 4 runs on 5 hits to give Bethesda a 4 run lead. But the T-Bolts matched them again in the bottom of the 5th also scoring 4 runs, knocking Bethesda's starting pitcher Patrick Keane (SMC) out of the game. Silver Spring's Troy Handza added a walk in that 5th inning to his already impressive night as he was 2-3 with a HR, 2 runs, and 2 walks. The Big Train took the lead again in the 6th as Tim Quiery scored Adam Berry after his double with one out. But the T-Bolts tied it up again in the bottom of the inning. And nobody scored after that until the 11th inning. Josh Schneider and Mike Aldrete pitched 6.2 combined innings allowing 0 earned runs. Matt Grieb's RBI single scoring Josh Leemhuis won the game in 11 innings. All 3 runners in the inning came after 2 outs. Key Players in the game were Drew Farber and Tucker Tobin who both had 4 hits in the game. Bethesda combined to get 17 hits in the game. The T-Bolts got 12 hits. The game lasted 3 hours and 26 minutes. Pictures from the game are HERE. Video from the game is HERE.

Big Train come back in last 2 innings beat T-Bolts again

After losing their first match up against the T-Bolts the Big Train won 4 straight and Friday they made it 5. After 6 lead changes the Big Train had the lead 6-5 in the ninth. In the 8th Danny Stienstra knocked in Mason Morioka who pinch ran for Seth Williams who singled. And Mason Morioka scored Ryan Collins in the 9th after a single. Ryan Collins had an amazing night with 2 doubles, 2 singles, 2 runs, and an RBI. Austin Harclerode had an expensive one, breaking 2 bats. Danny Stienstra had 3 hits a run and 2 RBIs. But who wins player of the game when Silver Springs designated hitter Fran Whitten had 2 doubles, 2 singles (just like Ryan Collins), 1 run, and 2 RBIs? The answer is Ryan Collins not just because he is a Big Train player but the time where he delivered his hits. He scored 2 of Bethesda's 6 runs and scored the go ahead run in the 9th after singling to lead off the inning.

T-Bolts come back falls short

#23 Nick Vickerson tags out a runner who was called safe for a triple in Sunday Nights game.

When the Big Train had a 7-1 lead in the 5th it seemed like it was over until the T-Bolts scored 2 runs in the 6th to knock Jordan Beistline out of the game. He allowed 9 hits and 3 runs over 6 innings while striking out 3. The T-Bolts scored only 1 more run in the 9th and they left 5 on base between the 7th and 9th, 2 in scoring position. Hugh Adams gave up the run in the 9th but just like Bryan Hamilton the day before it was unearned so his ERA stands at 0.00. Austin Harclerode had a pair of doubles to raise his total to 8 on the season. He also had a single, an RBI, and a run. Danny Stienstra continues his on base streak as he has reached base safely in 13 straight games. He has a 6 game hitting streak. He walked in between his 2 6 game hitting streaks. Stienstra is now batting 315. on the season. The T-Bolts came down about a half hour after the game ended in a massive thunderstorm that only hit in the Rockville-Bethesda area.

16-0

The Big Train shutout the T-Bolts Sunday scoring 16 runs on 14 hits. The Big Train also allowed only 3 hits. The only pitcher who didn't allow a hit was Sean Bertrand who pitched 3.2 perfect innings. While Jason Long didn't do so good. In 1.1 IP he allowed 10 hits and 9 runs, walking 1 and striking out 1. The Big Trains pitching staff struck out 10 and only walked 2 in 9 innings. Ryan Collins and Tyler Covington were the offensive leaders in the game. Ryan Collings tripled twice and singled once on 5 at bats. He also had 1 RBI. Tyler Covington in 2 at bats before being replaced with Connor Bernatz had 1 hit and 4 RBI's. The Big Train's next game is at home on Monday vs. the Nationals.

Playoffs round 2

Game 3: (4) SS-T Thunderbolts @ (2) Maryland Redbirds --- Loser Eliminated --- 2:30 PM

Game 4: (3) Herndon Braves @ (1) Bethesda Big Train --- 7:30 PM

July 29th Game

The Big Train are good. Have you ever noticed that? Well they won again! Another comeback win. In the 8th the T-Bolts jumped ahead 5-3 on a 2-RBI single. The Big Train as you know never give up. Bernatz hit a ball into right field for a leadoff hit. Jarrod Parks led off. After a full count, there was ball 4 apparently the umpire said there were 3 balls. There was a long discussion between the umpires and the home plate umpire came out and shook his head "no." The fans again booed and Sal Colangelo was pointing toward the press box where the official scorekeeper was holding up 4 fingers. Then the umpire went over to the 1st base umpire and talked, then the 3rd base umpire, and then declared ball 4. After that another batter walked. Then a sac fly moved Parks over to 3rd. Michael Bottoms knocked in Luke Adkins on an error and the Big Train shrunk the deficit to 1. Next Danny Stienstra hit a 2-RBI single and those were the winning runs to push the Big Train only 2 straight wins away from a championship.

Big Train 6-5.

4th Seed

The Big Train will play the SS-T Thunderbolts Wednesday.

The T-Bolts came back to beat the Aces 9-6.
The T-Bolts waited, hoping the Redbirds beat the Bombers.
The Redbirds beat the Bombers 5-4.
The Bombers got eliminated and the T-Bolts are in the 4th seed.

July 9th Game

The Big Train are up to their minor losing streak again! The Big Train fell tonight to SS-T! This is only the 2nd time the Big Train have lost 2 in a row this season and only their 8th loss of the season! Can the Big Train finish the season with under 10 losses? The Big Train are 9-1 now vs. Montgomery County Teams. Tonight's rally ended with the tying run on 3rd! The Final score:

T-Bolts 11

Big Train 10

After the Eli Boike homer, I darted from the wall in left all the way to right and found it after about 10 minutes of hard looking! Poison Ivy? Eli Boike: A night to remember 3 hits + HOME RUN!

July 6th Game

vs. T-Bolts

Big Train crushed the Thunderbolts 13-5! And you may ask yourself how can someone in only 2 at-bats have 4 rbi's and only 1 hit? Luke Adkins walked twice scored twice and plated 4!

Other good hitters:

Danny Stienstra 4-6
Michael Bottoms 2-5
Eli Boike 1-4 (3 runs)

CRSCBL STANDINGS

As of July 3rd

Big Train (17-5)~22 Games Played
Orioles (14-8)~22 Games
Redbirds(14-8)~22 Games
Braves (9-11)~20 Games
Aces (9-11)~ 20 Games
Bombers(10-14)~24 Games
Thunderbolts(8-16)~24 Games
Express(5-13)~18 Games

Current CRSCBL Standings

Big Train (12-4)
Redbirds (10-5)
Orioles (11-7)
Aces (7-8)
Express (5-6)
Bombers (7-10)
Braves (5-9)
T-Bolts (4-12)

Cool June 18th Pic

#12 Nolan Rudman delivers a pitch on June 18th when the Big Train won 6-4.

Game on June 18th

#32 Daniel Kassouf runs the bases after hitting a 3 run homerun for the SS-T Thunderbolts Thursday as they fell to the Big Train 6-4.

vs. SS-T Thunderbolts

Bolts 4

Big Train 6

The Big Train were down early but they came back with steady run production and won 6-4.

DON'T FORGET DOUBLEHEADER VS. MARYLAND REDBIRDS SATURDAY JUNE 20TH STARTS AT 5PM AT POVICH FIELD

Doubleheader vs. SS-T Thunderbolts

Game 1

Big Train 10
Thunderbolts 2

Game 2

Big Train 7
Thunderbolts 0

The Big Train are now 8-2 and they lead the league.
Note the Big Train will be without Drew Lee and Seth Williams for a while or for the season.

Game On June 15th

It is a DOUBLEHEADER @ Blair Stadium starting at 5:30.
vs. SS-T Thunderbolts.

The Big Train are (6-2) after loosing last night to the CP Bombers.