News

On American Night at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday night, the Bethesda Big Train hosted the D.C. Grays in front of a crowd of 572. Taylor Stiles (Maryland) received the starting nod, and went five innings giving up four hits and two earned runs against four strikeouts in the 8-6 victory.

Jacob Billingsley (Mississippi State) pitched fantastic in his relief appearance facing the minimum number of batters in two innings, putting straight zeroes on the board while striking out two batters.

After a solid, two strikeout, 1st inning by Taylor Stiles, the Big Train offense put a crooked number on the board. Stephen Alemais (Tulane) led off with a deep double off the top of the scoreboard and then stole third base. Logan Farrar (Virginia Commonwealth) proceeded to ground out knocking home his league leading 21st RBI on the season.

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Grays scored two runs to give them a 2-1 lead.

However, the Big Train struck back in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead. Stephen Alemais singled to start the inning. He then stole second and third base to give him sole possession as the league leader in steals with 20 on the season. Brandon Lowe (Maryland) walked, and in true clean up hitter fashion, Chris Lewis (Sacramento State), lined a ball over the left field fence for a three-run home dinger.

In the 6th inning, the Big Train loaded the bases and with Ryne Willard (N.C. State) batting, the Grays pitcher threw a wild pitch, scoring Chris Lewis who got on base by way of single. Then, while Cody Manzella (High Point) was batting, the Grays pitcher threw another wild pitch, this time scoring Cody Brown (Mississippi State) who also singled. The Big Train took a 6-2 lead going into the 7th inning. The Grays cut the Big Train lead to 6-5 in the 8th inning.

The Grays were robbed of tying the game on a spectacular diving catch in right field by Cody Brown to end the inning.

The Big Train offense provided two insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. It started while Cody Brown was on third base, the Grays pitcher made a throwing error on a pick off attempt to first base, scoring Brown. Kevin Tatum (Cornell) scored later on Stephen Alemais's third hit of the night.

The Grays struck for one run in the 9th inning and almost scored more if it was not for a tremendous stop and pirouette throw by Alemais at short stop to get the runner at first with the bases loaded.

Notes: Stephen Alemais had three hits and three stolen bases....Chris Lewis had two hits and three RBI....Kevin Tatum had two hits.