Cargill Gets Big Save Tuesday vs. Braves

by Bryan Oringher

When it seemed as if the Big Train were about to blow their ninth-inning lead despite the Braves being stymied the entire game, Collin Cargill (Southern Mississippi) knew exactly when to turn it on.

With the bases-loaded and no outs in the top of the ninth with the Big Train leading 2-1, Cargill erased the runner at third after he got caught in a pickle after a wild pitch. However, the runners advanced so Cargill was forced to try and preserve a tie game with runners on second and third and only one out. Undeterred, Cargill induced a Joe Palumbo ground-out right back to the mound and was able to hold the runners before throwing Palumbo out at first. After another walk loaded the bases with two-outs, Cargill got Jarrett Parker to ground-out to end the game, and the Big Train continued to close the gap on Youse's Orioles, who lost tonight.

The Big Train offense produced when it needed to the most. Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) drove an RBI-single with two outs to tie the ballgame at one in the bottom of the fourth, and Smith later added a sacrifice fly to give the Big Train the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. Smith also stole a base and continued to make things happen in the leadoff spot for the Big Train, driving in the team's only two runs of the night. The two hitter, Steven Leach (Jacksonville State), also reached base three times on the night, going 2-4 with a walk.

The Big Train were helped out once again by a stellar pitching performance by Brian Anderson (San Francisco), who improved to 3-0 on the season after pitching six innings and giving up only one run on four hits while striking out five. Matt Hiserman (Santa Clara) came on and pitched two shutout innings in relief while striking out two, and Cargill worked his way out of a jam in the ninth to earn his fifth save of the season.

Braves: 001.000.000
Big Train: 000.101.00X

Game Notes: The Big Train welcomed Louie of the Bowie Baysox...The Big Train also welcomed the Lemonade Shaking Guy from Camden Yards, who shook lemonade throughout the evening...The non-profit organization of the night was The Wellness Community...The attendance tonight was 601.

Box Score