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The game started off with Big Train taking the lead in the first inning with three runs. Fox Semones (James Madison University) and AJ Lee (University of Maryland) both scored a run off a deep two RBI drive into left field from John Glenn (California Baptist University). Glenn then scored on a single from Justin Wylie (University of Arizona).

Big Train kept the Express scoreless until the third inning, when they scored two runs from Livian Reinoso and Matt Kruszka, bringing the score to 3-2 with Big Train still in the lead.

The Express tied the game in the top of the fifth inning with a run from Kruszca, who scored off a groundball from Alex Yi-Chen Jou.

Big Train answered back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs to bring the score to 5-3. Semones and Glenn scored off a fly ball hit deep into right field by Alec Burleson (East Carolina University).

Big Train continued to hold Express to 0 runs in the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, a key play from Burleson solidified the lead for Big Train. With the bases loaded and two outs, Burleson stepped up to the plate. With Jacob Southern (Jacksonville University) on third base, Semones on second base, and Glenn on first base, Burleson hit a monstrous grand slam homerun towards right field. Burleson earned 4 RBI from the play, and Big Train widened their lead to 9-3. “I was just trying to drive in a run, just get at least one or two runs, and just help out the team and cushion our lead,” Burleson said after the game, remarking on his approach on this key play for Big Train.

Big Train continued to extend their lead in the seventh inning with the Train scoring five runs. Jacob Westerman (University of San Francisco) scored off a hit from Jacob Southern. Southern advanced to second off a hit from Fox Semones, and both players advanced off a hit from AJ Lee, loading the bases for the second time in two innings. Udie Summerall (Florida Atlantic University) stepped in as a pinch hitter for Big Train, and hit a grand slam homerun for his team, earning 4 RBI and bringing the score to 14-3.

The Express tried to make a comeback in the last two innings, earning 2 runs, one from Jou in the eighth inning and one from Adan Reinoso in the ninth inning, but they ultimately could not earn enough runs against the Big Train defense, leaving the final score as 14-5.

Head Coach Sal Colangelo was pleased with his team’s performance in their game tonight, especially after their doubleheader at the Thunderbolts. After the game, Colangelo said “[the Express] were throwing at us really to make the adjustment at the plate and we did.”

Big Train remains at home tomorrow to host the Loudoun Riverdogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.