Big Train One-Hit Redbirds in 9-1 Rout

by Bryan Oringher

On a beautiful Sunday evening before a crowd of 474 at Shirley Povich Field, the Big Train continued to put the pressure on the first place Youse's Orioles with an offensive outburst combined with a tremendous pitching effort, defeating the Maryland Redbirds 9-1. The Big Train pitching was also stellar, as four pitchers combined to one-hit the Redbirds while giving up only one run.

Starter Ben Tootle (Jacksonville State) no-hit the Redbirds through four innings while striking out four before giving way to Connor Hoehn (Alabama), who pitched three shutout innings while giving up only one hit on a hit-and-run groundball and received the victory. Derek Cardwell (Rider) then pitched one inning and gave up only one unearned run on a Big Train error. Finally, Collin Cargill (Southern Mississippi) came on to pitch a scoreless inning to complete the one-hitter for the Big Train.

The Big Train offense struck early and often, scoring all nine runs in the first five innings. In the bottom of the first, Clay Whittemore (Jacksonville State) came through with a clutch 2-out single to score Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) and put the Big Train on the board first. In the bottom of the third, Travis Owens (Bowling Green) and Chris Duffy (Central Florida) scored after a Redbirds' error to put the Big Train ahead 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Big Train loaded the bases on walks by Andrew Foster (Bowling Green), Eli Boike (Michigan State), and Travis Owens, and the Big Train went ahead 4-0 after Bert Smith walked as well. A wild pitch then scored Boike from third and gave the Big Train a 5-0 lead.

The Big Train then added two more runs on an Eli Boike triple in the bottom of the fifth, then Boike then scored on a booming two-run homer off the bat of Travis Owens, delivering the knockout punch to the Redbirds, giving the Big Train a 9-0 lead.

After the offensive clinic and one-hitter on the mound, the Big Train head into the All-Star break only a game and a half behind the first place Youse's Orioles.

Game Notes: The Big Train welcomed Slapshot of the Washington Capitals, who has visited Povich Field annually...The Carl M. Freeman Non-Profits of the Night were The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Primary Care Coalition, and Onesimus Human Resource Development, Inc.

Box Score