Big Train 8, Bombers 6

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By Andy Ireland
Big Train Staff Writer

Jonnie Knoble's (San Francisco) new name in the Big Train clubhouse is "Mr. Clutch." Just six days ago, the centerfielder knocked in the game winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Silver Spring Takoma Park Thunderbolts with a walk-off single to rightfield. Friday night, Knoble had the magic working again as he singled in the game winning run against the College Park Bombers in the second round of the CRSCBL playoffs. 514 Bethesda and College Park fans attended Friday night's game at Shirley Povich Field to watch the 8-6 Big Train victory. A 52-minute lightning delay tested the concentration of the players and the dedication of the fans.

Big Train starting pitcher Ron Lowe (Saint Leo) got off to a rocky start in the top of the first inning loading the bases with no outs. The Bombers' cleanup hitter, shortstop Benji Marshall (Richmond), executed the safety squeeze to perfection, completely surprising the defense. Marshall reached on the bunt giving College Park another opportunity with the bases loaded. The Bombers failed to capitalize on their opportunity leaving all three runners stranded. Lowe loaded the bases again in the second inning and managed to complete it unscathed. On the night, the Bombers stranded 16 base runners.

Bethesda got its first run in the bottom of the first on a fielding error by the Bomber shortstop that plated Knoble. The Big Train followed their charitable first inning with three hits in the second inning that resulted in two runs. Bryan Thomas' (Virginia Tech) sacrifice fly out to centerfield in the third inning produced another run for the home team.

College Park's offense got them right back in game, scoring two runs in the top of the fifth. A walk, three singles and a wild pitch by Lowe allowed the Bombers back in the game.

The Big Train aimed to pad their lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Trey Cuevas (Southern Mississippi) RBI single. With the Big Train leading 5-3, a lightning show above Povich Field shut down the game for 52 minutes. When the skies cleared and we returned to action, the Bombers had a new hurler on the mound, their flame throwing closer, DiCarlo Thompson (Pensacola JC). Cuevas moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and scored on a Ken Beamer (Findlay) RBI double. The 6-3 lead did not last long because the Bombers retaliated and scored three crucial runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the ballgame.

After Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk and Cuevas walked, Knoble stepped to the plate determined to win the ballgame. Knoble laced a single to rightfield scoring Clecker and giving the Big Train the go-ahead run at 7-6. Greg Lemon (Salisbury) hit a sacrifice fly out later in the inning to add an insurance run.

Friday night's winning pitcher, Jimmy Kelly (Middle Tennessee State), pitched to only one batter. Big Train closer Wyatt Stewart (Richmond) successfully converted a save after pitching the ninth inning.

"This one was ugly, but it's a win," Manager Sal Colangelo said after the game. "We stayed in the game and our guys never quit."

College Park Bombers (#4) 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 -- 6 10 3
Bethesda Big Train (#1) 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 2 - -- 8 14 3

WP- Kelly LP- Thompson Save: Stewart
2B: Thomas (BBT), Teller (BBT), Smith (BBT), Cleckler (BBT), Beamer (BBT)
Attendance: 514
Time: 2 hours and 59 minutes plus 52 minute delay for lightning