Luck on Friday the Thirteenth Helps Big Train Beat Thunderbolts
By Isaac Braun

Nobody expected luck on Friday the 13th, but a botched pickoff late in Friday's game helped the Bethesda Big Train defeat the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 3-2. The Big Train (18-11) also had help in outstanding pitching and batting performances.

Big Train starting pitcher Connor Hoehn (Alabama) had a solid outing; striking out four and only giving up two earned runs in six innings pitched. Reliever Matt Hiserman (Santa Clara) finished the game and picked up the win. He went three innings and did not allow a run while striking out four.

The Big Train started strong with Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) leading off the game with a double to right. The next batter, Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) also doubled to right, scoring Smith. Leach scored on Andrew Foster's (Bowling Green) sacrifice fly to center. The Thunderbolts (14-13) tied it up with two runs in the third.

But the best luck of the night came in the bottom of the eighth when the Big Train scored on a wild play. Catcher Chance Harst (Southern Mississippi) led off the inning by walking after he was down in the count 0-2. Foster bunted and for a moment it looked like the Thunderbolts would be able to turn a double play off of it. However, after Thunderbolts' first baseman Tim Park (William & Mary) committed an error, Harst was able to get to third. Clay Whittemore (Jacksonville State) was then intentionally walked and on a pickoff throw, Harst advanced home on an indecision by Park. The Thunderbolts threatened in the top of the ninth, but the comeback attempt was extinguished when 2B Bert Smith turned an impressive unassisted double play to end the game.

GAME NOTES: Attendance was 892 on Friday, July 13, 2007. Because it was Friday the Thirteenth, hated Cubs fan Steve Bartman passed out coupons for Cold Stone ice cream before the game. Also, an extra superstition race and extra trivia questions about superstition in baseball were held. Washington Parent was in attendance. Friday's game was sponsored by Chevy Chase Bank.

Before the game, Big Train players were treated with a visit from Strength and Conditioning Specialist Dr. Steven Horwitz, DC, CSCS. Dr. Horwitz was the 1996 US Olympic Team Chiropractor.

Box Score