Johnny Holliday MC's the festivities as Big Train falls to Orioles

Orioles 4, Big Train 0

Box Score │ Season Stats │ Archived Webcast

Browse and purchase photos from this game

By Andy Ireland
Big Train Staff Writer

The Bethesda Big Train began the 2005 season tonight with a 4-0 loss to the AAABA national champion Maryland Orioles. 685 devoted baseball fans combated the heat and humidity to watch the inaugural game of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League at Shirley Povich Field.

The Orioles broke on top in the third with an RBI double by Gavin Swanson (George Washington). Swanson, who replaced starting centerfielder Andrew Rogers (Navarro CC) in the first inning (foul ball off his hand), proved to be a valuable piece of the Orioles' offense going 2-5. Jeremy Farrell (Virginia) crushed a fly ball to left field in the top of the fourth for a two run home run giving the Orioles a 3-0 lead. A sac fly by catcher Preston Pehrson made the score 4-0 in the fifth.

The Big Train failed to strike back against the Orioles. Bethesda batters hit the ball hard all night but had little to show for their efforts scoring zero runs. Unfortunately for the Big Train, Orioles fielders always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. No Big Train hitter advanced past second base during tonight's game. Both teams displayed exceptional fielding, committing only one error and diving for hard to reach fly balls.

Starting pitcher Bernard Robert (SE Louisiana) pitched a fantastic game for the Orioles, allowing only three hits and no runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched to earn the win. The loss went to Big Train pitcher Kenny Moreland (Christopher Newport) who pitched a solid five innings allowing four runs on seven hits.

"He [Robert] can really pitch," Orioles Manager Dean Albany said, "he is my big game guy."

Maryland Orioles (1-0) 001 210 000 - 4 11 1
Bethesda Big Train (0-1) 000 000 000 - 0 5 0

WP: Robert (1-0)
LP: Moreland (0-1)
HR: Orioles - Farrell (1)

Big Train Notes: Despite the outcome, the night was a celebration of baseball in Bethesda as familiar faces came out to support the new Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. Johnny Holliday, the voice of the Maryland Terrapins, served as Master of Ceremonies for the opening day festivities and public address announcer. He also took a turn as color man for the Big Train webcast of the game. Fans spent much of the night reminiscing and sharing their fond memories of Johnny while enjoying the sights and sounds of collegiate baseball. Thanks to Bill Doggett of William Doggett Architects of Bethesda, tonight's game sponsor for providing Big Train schedule magnets for all of the fans. Doggett and CRSCBL Commissioner Bill Spencer threw out ceremonial first balls before the game. Elmo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Cartwright the Duck, and Smurf joined Homer to entertain the kids.

Povich Field picnickers chase after Drew Carson during the introduction of the starting lineup on Friday  
 
 
 

Elmo, Cartwright the Duck, SpongeBob Square Pants and Smurf greet the Maryland Orioles