DOWNPOUR CAN'T COOL OFF PEHRSON

Box Score│Season Stats

Not even a mid-game downpour could cool off the hot bat of Big Train designated hitter Preston Pehrson (Texas) on Wednesday night at Shirley Povich Field. Bethesda jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on doubles by Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte), Steven Leach (Jacksonville State), and Adam Plummer (Pittsburgh/Johnstown). The Bombers got one back in the top of the fourth on a lead-off double by Joel Gonzales (Prince Georges CC) who scored. A downpour halted play for 42 minutes in the fourth. Big Train starter Robby Smithson (Lipscomb) attempted to come back after the delay but he struggled and was relieved by Chris Cullen (Michigan State). A defensive meltdown in the fifth gave the Bombers a 4-3 advantage. The Bombers relief pitcher Mike Castrignano retired three batters in order in the fourth, but then walked the two lead-off batters in the fifth. The Bombers threw away an attempted sacrifice bunt to load the bases for the Big Train's top hitter, Preston Pehrson. He did not disappoint. Pehrson launched a moonshot home run over the right field fence to give the Big Train a 7-4 lead. Leach walked and scored on an RBI double by Plummer. The Pehrson blast propelled Bethesda back into first place in the first week of play in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League as the previously undefeated Rockville Express lost to Silver Spring. Cullen picked up the win, striking out three and allowing no earned runs in three-and-one-third innings of relief. Castrignano gave up the grand slam and took the loss.


College Park Bombers (3-4) 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 -- 4 8 2
Bethesda Big Train (4-1) 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 x -- 8 6 4


WP: Cullen (1-0)
LP: Castrignano (1-1)
2B: Lane (BBT), Leach (BBT), Plummer (2)(BBT); Savage (CPB), Gonzales (CPB)
HR: Pehrson (1)
Attendance: 744
Time: 2 hours, 31 minutes (plus a 42 minute rain delay in the top of the fourth inning).


Big Train Notes: The Montgomery County Public Schools went on summer break Wednesday, and Shirley Povich Field was the place to celebrate (as long as you didn't mind getting soaked by a passing thundershower!). Bonnie Cullison, President of the Montgomery County Education Association, was on hand to represent the teachers and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. It was Slide Into a Good Book night with author and Washington Post kids columnist Fred Bowen. Free Big Train bookmarks were given to all fans. Librarians from Montgomery County were on-hand to sign-up kids for the County's summer reading program. It was a Washington Parent Night with Moonbounces, Mini-Golf, and Baseball Toss provided by Talk of the Town. The game night sponsor was Sandy Spring Builders, who managed the construction of Povich Field.