Bombers Edge Big Train in 11
by David Ireland

On Monday night at College Park the Big Train were defeated by the Bombers 4-3 in eleven innings. Down 3-1 in the top of the ninth the Big Train were able to scrape two runs together to force the game into extra innings. After Big Train reliever Matt Hiserman (Santa Clara) pitched a gutsy ninth and tenth to keep the score tied, it ended up not being enough as Bomber AJ Casario (Maryland) hit a two out RBI single to drive in Brandon Mise (Maryland) for the game winning run in the eleventh.

Coming into the night the Big Train had won five in a row and were looking to extend their streak with Jimmy Saris (Georgetown) on the hill. For the Bombers it was Mike Bell (St. John's River-FL CC). On this night, Bell shined, pitching six shoutout innings while only allowing two hits and received the no decision.

With Bell working through the Big Train lineup with ease, his offense stole the show. In the bottom half of the second Mike Calenza (Salisbury) doubled to lead off the inning, was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Cody Collins (Delaware Tech) and then scored on a Corey Todhunter (Mesa State) RBI single to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead.

The Bombers extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Kelch singled, stole second and scored when Mise doubled. Mise then scored the second run of the inning when Casario hit a nubber back to the pitcher but Jimmy Saris' throw to first base hit the runner on his way to first extending the inning. The Big Train argued that Casario was inside the base path, contesting that it was in the line of Saris' throw, but that was to no avail.

Things got interesting in the top of the ninth inning as Bomber reliever Brett Jones (Maryland) hit Eli Boike (Michigan State) with a pitch and then allowed a base hit to Chris Duffy (Central Florida) to start off the inning. Until the ninth inning, the Big Train's lone run had come on a wild pitch that plated Pat Minogue (Northern Illinois) from third in the seventh. After getting one out on a fielder's choice, Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) drew a walk to load the bases. Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) noticed the reliever's wildness and was patient enough to draw a walk of his own to force home a run. Then the Bombers went to their stopper, Ross Gusky (Talahassee-Fl CC). Gusky was able to get the second out of the inning by striking out Andrew Foster (Bowling Green) and then up came Chance Harst (Southern Mississippi) with two outs. Harst took the count full and Gusky delievered a pitch that looked like it could have gone either way. But Harst got the call in his favor and drew the walk that scored the tying run. The Bombers dugout erupted in disgust as Minogue trotted home to tie the game. Gusky was able to get Jon Karcich (Santa Clara) to fly out to the end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth Hiserman pitched out of a jam and struck out Casario in a dramatic fashion to end the inning. Unfortunately, each time Hiserman went out there to keep the team tied the Big Train offense came back with no run support. In the bottom of the eleventh Hiserman was victim to two two-out walks. And then up came Casario with another huge opportunity to win the game. This time he delievered as he drove a ground ball up the middle that was fielded by the diving second baseman Smith, but his throw was offline and the winning run was able to score.

Game Notes: Big Train alumni Chris Rhodes ('04-'05) was in attendance on Monday night.

Box Score