GREAT DEFENSE, AMAZING SPEED, WALK-OFF IN 11TH
Box Score

Several spectacular defensive plays allowed the Big Train to stay in Friday night's game against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts and amazing speed and a walk-off blast by Matt Long (Santa Clara) allowed Bethesda to prevail 4-3 in eleven innings. The 644 fans at Povich Field were treated to a spectacular game on a perfect night for baseball. With two hard throwers on the mound, it was the T'Bolts that got on the board first against Big Train starter Evan Frederickson (Virginia Tech). With two outs in the top of the third, a walk and a hit batsman both scored on a double by catcher Gerardo Hernandez (MC-Rockville). In the fourth, Silver Spring scored again with three consecutive singles, a walk, and an RBI single. A much bigger inning was averted when Big Train left fielder Matt Long threw out a runner at the plate. In the bottom of the fourth, the Big Train got even thanks in large part to a dropped fly ball when the T'Bolt third baseman and catcher collided. The dropped fly allowed Preston Pehrson (Texas) to reach first and later score. Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) singled, Adam Plummer (Pitt-Johnstown) walked but was erased on an RBI groundout by Steven Leach (Jacksonville State). Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi) singled home Adkins, and Brian Dietz (Bowling Green) singled home Leach to knot the score at three. It stayed that way for six innings. One T-Bolt threat was erased when Joe Maca (Catholic) doubled with a runner on first in the eighth, but second baseman Cory Lane's (UNC-Charlotte) relay throw gunned down the potential go-ahead run at the plate. A single and two hit batsmen loaded the bases for the Big Train in the bottom of the tenth, but the Train could not push the run across. Two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases for the T'Bolts in the top of the eleventh with only one out. But, for the second game in a row, third baseman Steven Leach snared a line drive and converted a double play. In the bottom of the eleventh, speed made all the difference. Dietz singled. Lane grounded into a force play but avoided being doubled up and then stole second. Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) hit a high chopper in front of the pitcher and beat the throw to first. With the outfield playing in, Long crushed a ball over the left fielder's head for the game winner.


SS-T Thunderbolts (7-7) 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 3 8 1
Bethesda Big Train (11-5) 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 -- 4 11 0


WP: Anderson (1-1)
LP: Blewett (1-1)
2B: Hernandez (SST), Maca (SST)
Attendance: 644
Time: 3 hours, 8 minutes


Big Train Notes: It was Bowie Baysox Night at Povich Field with Louie returning to visit Homer and meet young Bunt for the first time. Also, we celebrated Takoma Park-Silver Spring Babe Ruth League Night with A Big Train Tribute to the Legendary Coach G, the founder of the Babe Ruth League in Takoma Park. As expected, the game started a few minutes late as we had a hard time getting Coach G off the mound. He was ready to go nine. Our sponsor was Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Company. With a crowd of Takoma Park-Silver Spring Babe Ruth coaches and players in the stands, Povich Field Friday night felt a bit like Camden Yards when the Red Sox or Yankees are in town. Half the fans were rooting for the home team and about half for the visiting T'Bolts. The families of many Big Train players were in the stands tonight, the first night of our annual Family Weekend that will culminate with a trip to RFK Stadium on July 4 to see the Nationals.