News
![]() Big Train Lose to Braves 7-406/29/2016 10:06 PM
By:
![]() Catcher Austin Hale (Stetson) prepares to tag out a runner at home. The Bethesda Big Train showed characteristic flashes of solid play Wednesday night, but inconsistency in all aspects of their game lead to a 4-7 loss to the Herndon Braves. The loss drops the Big Train to 13-7 on the season, but the team still holds a 2-game lead over the second-place Braves in the South Division. The Braves got on the board first by scoring 3 runs in the 2nd inning and adding another in the 3rd, creating a commanding 4-0 lead. Big Train starter John Murphy (Maryland) would find his groove, however, striking out the final two batters in the 3rd to limit the damage, followed by two shutout innings. Murphy finished with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks in the no-decision, surrendering only those initial 4 runs in 5 innings pitched. Meanwhile, after getting off to a slow start offensively against Braves starting pitcher Dom Morabito, the Big Train's bats woke up in a big way after Morabito was replaced in the 4th inning. After reaching base with a single, center fielder Cody Brown (Mississippi State) scored on an error by the Braves first baseman off the bat of Jimmy Monaghan (Campbell). Monaghan would then score later in the inning on a clutch two-out single to left by Cam Daugherty (Bowling Green). The next two innings saw the Big Train display some of their trademark resilience. After their first two batters reached base to start the 5th, another Braves error, this time by their catcher, allowed Mike Emodi (Creighton) to score. Then, in the 6th, Daugherty would score on a line drive down the left field line by Gunnar Lambert (Florida Atlantic), knotting the game up at 4 apiece. It seemed as though the Big Train were headed for yet another comeback victory. However, the Big Train's own defensive miscues, which plagued the team all night, would prove to be their undoing. A misplayed ball on a single to center field allowed a Braves player to score all the way from first in the 6th, putting the Braves back on top 5-4. Another error in the outfield, this time in right field on a fly ball, cushioned the Braves' lead in the 9th inning, discouraging any hopes for a comeback. Matt Marsili (James Madison), who pitched the final three innings of the game, would take the loss. Marsili struck out 4 and gave up 2 earned runs. "We weren't mentally prepared," said manager Sal Colangelo. "[The Braves] played hard, and we gave them a bunch of runs. Missed ball at first base, gave them a run. Fly ball, gave them a run. We didn't execute when we needed to [...] and when they had their opportunity, they made the best of it." Fatigue may have played a role in the Big Train's lackluster performance, having recently played several long games (including 21 innings spread over the two games of a doubleheader last Sunday). "We've played a lot of innings these last couple days [...] real late night games," Colangelo said. It catches up to you. It was bound to happen." While the team will have little time to rest, the Big Train should be sharper regardless Thursday night as they take on the Vienna River Dogs at James Madison High School. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. |
Share This Article![]() Past News
Browse by Year »20232022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Browse by Month »September 2023August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 December 2022 November 2022 September 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 March 2020 February 2020 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 November 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 December 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 |