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Yandel drove in four runs total as the Big Train overcame pitching struggles and a late onslaught by the Herndon offense to move to 9-2 on the season.

The Big Train jumped out to an early lead in the first on a two-out, two-run single to center by Ryne Willard (North Carolina State). The Braves tied it up, with a run in the second off of Tyler Loptien (San Diego State), and another in the third off Brock Larson (San Francisco).

Bethesda quickly broke this tie, however, in the bottom of the third, when Yandel hit a bases loaded double down the third base line to score two. They added a third run in the inning when Matt Toscano (St. Mary’s, Calif.) scored on a wild pitch.

The Braves scored an unearned run off sidewinder Miller Trevvett (Radford) in the fifth inning, but it still appeared to be smooth sailing for the Big Train as they carried a 5-3 lead into the seventh. Then the wheels came off for the Big Train, as Walker Sheller (Stetson), who had thrown a perfect sixth, struggled out of the gate in his second inning of work. After an error by catcher Nick Feight (UNC Wilmington) put the leadoff man on second, a one-out single drove him home to cut the lead to one. The next Herndon batter, Andy Mocahbee, lined a 1-0 pitch to left center to drive home the tying run. Two walks and a wild pitch resulted in a third run scoring in the inning, and the Braves took a 6-5 lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Braves scored again, giving them a key insurance run and a 7-5 lead going into the bottom half of the inning. Herndon pitcher John Yoest, who had been dominant for three innings, surrendered a walk to Zach Kirtley (St. Mary’s College, Calif.) and a single to Chris Lewis (Sacramento State) to put men on first and second with one out. Braves manager Chris Warren then brought in Trey Ramsey to try and get the final two outs. Brandon Hunley (Sacramento State) promptly greeted him with a line drive double to left that scored Kirtley to cut the lead to 7-6. Ramsey then intentionally walked Willard to load the bases and set up the force at home. After a failed squeeze attempt from Toscano, Yandel came to the plate with two outs and the bases still loaded. Already with one two-run double on the night, he squared up a 1-1 pitch and lifted it to deep right center. It carried over the right fielder’s head and landed near the wall, scoring two runs and giving the Big Train their ninth win of the season.

Notes: The Big Train nearly turned a triple play in the second inning, going around the horn before Yandel fired home and almost threw out the Herndon runner scoring from third…each team surrendered nine walks…the two teams combined to leave 20 men on base: 12 for Herndon and eight for Bethesda…Tobin gave up one run over two innings of relief to earn his second win of the season…the Big Train takes on the Gaithersburg Giants tomorrow night at 7:30 at Shirley Povich field.