Big Train Shuts Out Thunderbolts

by David Biel

On a clear, 77 degree Saturday night at Povich Field, the Bethesda Big Train looked to prevent a second straight loss and move closer to overtaking the Youse's Maryland Orioles for first place in the league standings against the Silver Spring-Tacoma Thunderbolts. They did just that tonight, as the Big Train shutout the Thunderbolts 5-0.

Offensively, the first four innings of the game were quiet for the Big Train. The offense got started in the fifth inning when third baseman Jon Karcich (Santa Clara) doubled to deep left-centerfield scoring shortstop Steven Leach (JacksonvilleState) from first base to give Bethesda a 1-0 lead.

The Big Train added on some more runs in the seventh inning. With right fielder Andrew Foster (Bowling Green) and Karcich on first and second base, respectively, left fielder Clay Whittemore (Jacksonville State) singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Karcich to give the Big Train a 2-0 lead.

Bethesda widened the lead in the eigth inning. With two runners on, KarcichBert Smith (JacksonvilleState) and Leach all the way from first base to give Bethesda a 4-0 lead. Karcich finished the game with two doubles and three RBI. doubled to deep right-centerfield to second baseman

Later the same inning, Foster drove in Karcich from second base on a blooper single over the head of the shortstop to give the Big Train a six-run lead.

Bethesda starting pitcher Evan Frederickson (Virginia Tech) had a very solid outing. Frederickson pitched five scoreless innings while only giving up three hits, and struck out the first four hitters he faced in the game. The Big Train bullpen combined to pitch four more scoreless innings, and only gave up one hit during that span.

Thunderbolts: 000.000.000...0 4 2
Big Train: 000.010.14X...6 11 1

WP: Frederickson
LP: Joseph

Game Notes: Tonight was multicultural night. The first 200 kids received mini-bats courtesy of D-Bat. The Big Train welcomed the Dockdogs and Allen Alexpulos of the Chesapeake Woodturners who handturned a bat for Saturday night's raffle. To view more of Allen's work please visit lathescapes.com. Thanks also to Mr. Walter Ambrosch of "Ambrosch International" for donating the wood. Visit gonebatty.net for more information about his wooden bat lines for youth through professional leagues as well as display and trophy bats. Tonight's sponsor was the NIH Recreation and Welfare.

Box Score