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6/10/2006
PEASE, HITTERS LEAD TRAIN OVER T-BOLTS SATURDAY
Box Score
On an uncharacteristically cool and crisp June night with a full moon hanging over Blair Stadium, the Big Train slugged their way to an 11-2 victory over the Thunderbolts of Silver Spring-Takoma Park. Sixteen hits and a strong effort from starting pitcher, Dustin Pease (Mount Saint Mary's), fueled Bethesda to their second victory to start the season. On Saturday night, it was the top of the order that got the Train on track. Leadoff hitter and second baseman Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte) and number two hitter and center fielder Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) combined for six base hits, four stolen bases, and five runs scored. Four of those runs were driven in by right fielder >b>Preston Pehrson (Texas) who reached base four times on two hits and two walks from the cleanup spot.
However, the night belonged to Pease, who settled in nicely after giving up two runs in the second inning. He coasted through the T-Bolts lineup through most of his outing and with the help of a strong defense behind him, he was able to go seven innings giving up only four hits. He finished his night after the seventh inning having retired the last 11 batters he faced. Manager Sal Colangelo called Pease’s performance outstanding. “He’s a bulldog out there and he knows how to get the job done. He was capable of going nine innings, but his pitch count was getting up there. I wanted to see some of the new guys pitch.”
It was Bethesda's offensive attack fueled by speed at the top of the lineup that put the game out of reach. Bethesda jumped on top 2-0 in the first. Lane led off with a single, Cleckler followed with a bunt base hit, they swiped second and third, and Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) worked an 0-2 count for a walk by hitting numerous foul balls. Lane scored on sacrifice fly by Pehrson, and Cleckler scored on a sacrifice fly by Adam Plummer (Pitt-Johnstown). Every starter managed to reach base via base hit or by walk. Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) joined the three hit club, going 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, a run scored, and two RBIs. After the game, Colangelo was pleased with the way the top of the order set the tone right from the start, scoring two quick runs in the first inning. “Cleckler and Lane were exceptional; they took the extra base and put the pressure on the base paths.”
Starting pitcher Jack Lyons (MC-Rockville) took the loss for the T-Bolts, allowing three earned runs in 3 innings. Justin Handler (LaSalle) singled to lead off the second and scored on a triple to the wall in right-centerfield by Jeff Jones (William & Mary). Jones scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Popp (Belmont Abbey) to knot the score at two.
Bethesda Big Train (2-0) 201 031 202 -- 11 16 2
SS-T Thunderbolts (0-2) 020 000 000 -- 2 6 1
WP: Pease (1-0)
LP: Lyons (0-1)
3B: Jones (SS-T); 2B: Pehrson (B), Leach (B)
Time: 3 hours and 16 minutes
Attendance: 287
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