Three-Run Homer Sinks Big Train
On a gorgeous Thursday night in Herndon the Big Train lost to the Braves 6-5. A big three-run homer by Jarrett Parker (George Mason) in the sixth, coupled with strong relief pitching for the Braves spelled a defeat for Bethesda.

The Big Train got only six hits on the night but were able to make the most out of their opportunites as five runs crossed the plate. No other player was more efficient with his plate appearances than Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) who led off the game by reaching on an error, immediately stole second base, was moved over on a fielder's choice and then scored on a balk by the pitcher. In his second AB, in the third inning, he got on by a fielder's choice. Once on base he stole second and third and then wound up at home when the Braves catcher threw the ball into leftfield trying to get him out.

In the top of the fourth with the Big Train down 3-2 Andrew Foster (Bowling Green) led off the inning with a base hit. Then followed Chance Harst (Southern Mississippi) who came up and blasted a two-run bomb over the centerfield fence to retake the lead for the Train. The fifth run for the Big Train came in the fifth when Chris Duffy (Central Florida) scored on a line drive base hit into rightfield by Steven Leach (Jacksonville State).

But from there on out it was all Herndon. Over the final four innings the Big Train managed only one hit as Braves starter Eric Willey (Salisbury) got stronger as the night went on, but was lifted after the sixth for Jason Kuhn (James Madison). Kuhn and then Greg Lane (Binghamton) pitched the last three innings and allowed only one hit with three strikeouts.

The big hit came in the bottom of the sixth after Big Train starter Brian Anderson (San Francisco) exited the game having pitched 5 strong innings. With Dan Palumbo (Geore Mason) and TJ Prioletti (James Madison) on base up came Parker who unleashed a long fly ball that eeked over the short left centerfield fence for a three-run homer.

The inning could have been more damaging for the Big Train if not for a few baserunning blunders by the Braves. Pitcher Quinn Ewert (Michigan State) had earlier in the inning picked off Matthew Kulbacki (Kutztown) at second base and Val Arduini (Binghamton) later was forced out in a rundown when he got hung up between the bases trying to advance on the base paths. But the luck had run out for Bethesda as Parker came up with the big hit to erase the Braves' misfortune.

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