Big Train Defeats Braves, Takes Share of League Lead
by Bryan Oringher

Before a crowd of 664 at Shirley Povich Field on a beautiful Thursday night, the Bethesda Big Train continued to put on an offensive showcase, defeating the Herndon Braves 7-2 to tie Youse's Orioles for first place in the Cal Ripken Senior League. The Big Train used a balanced approach at the plate, and Big Train starter Mitch Herold (Central Florida) dazzled, allowing no hits through his first four innings en route to the win. With their fourth consecutive victory, the Big Train forced an exact tie with the Orioles for first place to set up a doubleheader tomorrow night between the two teams, which will likely decide the first seed in the playoffs.

The Big Train got on board first as they seemingly have all season long. Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) continued to set the table for the Big Train, leading off the game with a single and then stole second. After Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) walked, Leach and Smith advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Smith then scored and Leach advanced to third on a Jon Karcich (Santa Clara) sacrifice fly, and Leach then scored on an Andrew Foster (Bowling Green) sacrifice fly to put the Big Train ahead 2-0 after the first.

In the bottom of the second, the Big Train loaded the bases with no outs on three consecutive walks by Chris Duffy (Central Florida), Evan Friedland (Michigan State), and Pat Minogue (Northern Illinois). Duffy then scored on a sacrifice fly by Eric Roof (Michigan State), the Big Train's replacement for Travis Owens who made his first start on the season, to put the Big Train ahead 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Big Train struck again. After Chris Duffy walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a passed ball, Evan Friedland drove Duffy in on a double to deep right field. Duffy, coming off a double and a triple last night, walked three times against the Braves and scored every time. Next, Eric Roof continued to make a strong impression on Big Train fans, ripping a double down the line to score Friedland and give the Big Train a 5-0 lead.

The Big Train added yet another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth after another RBI double by Evan Friedland scored Jon Karcich to put the Big Train comfortably ahead 6-0. Later, with the Big Train ahead 6-2, Bert Smith picked up his 17th RBI on the season on a single to score Pat Minogue in the bottom of the eight.

Big Train starter Mitch Herold was stellar, giving up only two runs on two hits in 5.1 innings while striking out two. Brett Smalley (Middle Tennessee State) came on and was flawless, no-hitting the Braves in 2.2 shutout innings of work. Derek Caldwell (Rider) closed out the victory with a scoreless ninth to complete the two-hitter for the Big Train and set up the duel with the Youse's Orioles tomorrow night for first place.

Braves: 000.002.000
Big Train: 210.210.01X

Game Notes: Tonight was Camera and Autograph Night. Fans were allowed onto the field to take pictures and get autographs with Big Train players...The Big Train played music selections from Hungry for Music throughout the evening...The Big Train welcomed Talon of the D.C. United...The Big Train thank tonight's sponsor, the Bethesda Optimist Club. To see the work the Optimist Club is doing in the community, visit bethesdaoptimistclub.org.

Box Score