Big Train Loses Heartbreaker to Bombers

by Bryan Oringher

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon game salvaged only by the Big Train team playing grounds crew, the Big Train suffered their first loss in seven games in a tough 5-3 defeat by the College Park Bombers before a crowd of 291 at Shirley Povich Field.

The Big Train jumped out to an early lead after a Chance Harst (Southern Mississippi) RBI groundout in the bottom of the first inning. They later extended that lead to 3-0 after RBI doubles for both Jon Karcich (Santa Clara) and Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) in the bottom of the fourth inning. Smith continued to be the catalyst for the Big Train lineup in the leadoff spot, going 3-4 with 2 steals and a walk on the night. However, the Big Train were held scoreless for the rest of the game.

Big Train starter Ben Tootle (Jacksonville State) started the game off by continuing his outstanding pitching on the season as he shutout the Bombers through his first four innings to extend the Big Train pitchers' scoreless streak to an incredible 24 innings before giving up a run on a wild pitch in the fifth to cut the Big Train lead to 3-1. In the sixth, however, Tootle tired, giving up two consecutive singles before a three-run-homer to 1B Mike Celenza to put the Bombers ahead 4-3. Tootle then left the game after giving up four runs in over five innings of work with 4 strikeouts and gave way to RP Brian Anderson (San Francisco), the clear relief ace for the Big Train. Anderson pitched the rest of the game with 3.2 excellent innings, giving up only one run on a miscommunication with 1B Evan Friedland (Michigan State) where they collided on an easy pop-up with two outs in the top of the ninth to put the Bombers ahead 5-3.

Anderson was helped out once again by outstanding Big Train defense besides the lone miscommunication. With runners on first and second and no outs in the top of the 8th, Anderson was able to get Celenza, who earlier hit a 3-run-homer, to ground into a nifty 4-6-3 double-play started by 2B Bert Smith. Later, with a runner on third and two outs, Evan Friedland leaned into the stands to make an outstanding catch to put an end to the threat and keep it a one-run ballgame at the time.

In the bottom of the ninth trailing 5-3, the Big Train gave the Bombers one final scare. With one out, 2B Bert Smith walked on 4 pitches to reach base for the 4th time. Right after him, SS Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) crushed a double down the right-field-line to set up second and third with one out for Big Train's leading hitter, RFAndrew Foster (Bowling Green), who popped out to 1B. Catcher Harst then drove a ball to the deepest part of the ballpark in CF. Up against the wall, Bombers' CF Brandon Mise made a leaping catch for the final out and saved the game from going into extra innings or the Big Train winning on a walk-off.

Bombers: 000.013.001...5 6 2
Big Train: 100.200.000...3 9 2

WP: Amidei
LP: Tootle
SV: Britton

Box Score

Game Notes: The Big Train welcomed the Maryland Nighthawks and Dunkin', their mascot. The Maryland Nighthawks are a Professional men's team of the American Basketball Association (ABA)... Tonight was Baseball Card Night and the first 200 kids 12 and under received a starter pack of baseball cards courtesy of Hall of Fame Cards.