News

First-Place Big Train Rock Rockville 11-5

06/20/2013 10:03 PM

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Morris held the Express to one run through six innings.

The Big Train entered Thursday's game against the Rockville Express with momentum on offense, having defeated the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 13-1 the night before. The bats continued to thrive on Thursday.

The first run for the Big Train came in the third inning, as a sacrifice fly from David Del Grande (Sacramento State) plated Harrison Bruce (San Francisco).

Two innings later, Tim Yandel (Tulane), Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC), Bruce, Del Grande, Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech), Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina), and Ricky Santiago (Florida Atlantic) would all cross home plate, making it an 8-1 Big Train lead.

A quality start by Zach Morris (Maryland) held the Express to just one run through six innings. Morris allowed just eight total base-runners. With his great pitching and the significant run support, he picked up his first win of the season.

After the bullpen took over for Morris, the offense would continue to provide run support, as Cole and Kevin Tatum (Cornell) would drive in runs in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively. Shutout innings on the mound by Brock Larson (San Francisco) and Tyler Thomas (Shepherd) in the seventh and eighth would keep the Express off the board heading into the ninth.

The runs would ultimately prove to be a useful cushion for the Big Train, as the Express would rally for four runs in the ninth. However, the 10-run deficit would prove to be too much to overcome for Rockville, as Trevor Charpie (Tennessee) would finish the game retiring three consecutive batters to secure the 11-5 victory for the Big Train.

With Thursday night's victory, the Big Train have now pieced together a four-game winning streak. With an 8-2 record, they hold a two-game lead over the Gaithersburg Giants (5-3) and Southern Maryland Nationals (6-4) for first place in the CRCBL standings.

The Big Train hit the road on Friday night, seeking their fifth straight win as they face the Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field. The team then returns home on Saturday night to host the FCA Herndon Braves at Povich Field at 7:30 PM.