Team goes to 4-0 in exhibition games

Big Train 10, Barnstormers 3

By Andy Ireland
Big Train Staff Writer

Bethesda had reason to celebrate on Community Night at Shirley Povich Field Wednesday as 440 fans watched the Big Train beat the Virginia Barnstormers 10-3. The game was the final of the four exhibition games scheduled before the beginning of the regular season Friday night.

The Big Train quickly erased a 1-0 deficit in the first inning by capitalizing on an error and several passed balls. Centerfielder Jonnie Knoble (San Francisco) led off the first with a hard hit ground ball through the pitcher’s legs resulting in a single. After taking second and third on a couple wild pitches, Knoble scored the game-tying run on another passed ball. Greg Lemon (Salisbury) continued to drive in runs with his RBI single scoring first baseman Rhett Teller (St. Leo’s).

The Big Train tied the game at three in the bottom of the fourth inning when Marcus Jones plated Nick Clecker (Lipscomb) while grounding into a double play.

Greg Lemon gave the Big Train the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when he scored on a throwing error by Barnstormer pitcher Blair DeLeon. The error allowed Andrew Smith to reach second base and he later score an insurance run on Steve Fay's (Mount Saint Mary's) groundball single up the middle.

Lemon was the catalyst for the Big Train's exceptional offensive performance going 4-4 with a walk and an RBI. "It felt good [to hit the ball], I didn't hit them hard but it felt good after a good round of batting practice before the game," said Lemon.

Nick Cleckler added to the lead in the seventh inning with a two-run line drive double to right field. Bryan Thomas’ RBI single, followed by Fay's two RBI single in the eighth upped the Big Train's run total to 10.

Defensively, Big Train pitchers had another stellar performance striking out 13 batters. At one point in the game Big Train pitchers retired 14 straight Barnstormers. Brett Tidball (Maryland) earned the win after he pitched a perfect fifth and sixth inning striking out five while utilizing his curveball and fastball. "Tidball worked ahead, threw strikes and pitched a good game," Big Train manager Sal Colangelo said.

Big Train Notes: Big Train pitcher Jon Link was drafted in the 26th round Major League Baseball Amateur draft today by San Diego. Big Train outfielder Marcus Jones (Landon/NC State) was drafted in the 38th round of the by the Washington Nationals.

Homer welcomes a young fan at first base in the pre-game "Race Around the Bases"