Big Train Offense Explodes in Doubleheader Sweep

Friday, June 13, 2008
by Zach Stone
e-mail the Big Train writers at writers@bigtrain.org


GAME ONE
Box Score
It only took the Big Train six days to finish off the Thunderbolts, but a win's a win. In the "longest" game of the year, the Big Train defeated the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, 15-6. Back on June 7th, the game was suspended after two innings due to electrical problems with the Big Train leading 3-1. The final seven innings were played in the late afternoon today, as part of a double-header with the regularly scheduled contest against the Thunderbolts.

The Big Train were excellent on both days. Justin Wright (Virginia Tech) held the Thunderbolts to one run on no hits in the first two innings. The Big Train were able to put three runs on the board in the 2nd inning, before the lights went out. Zach Kim (San Francisco) singled with the bases loaded, plating Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) and Ben Jones (Auburn).

Scott Schneider (Saint Mary's) "started" the game when it resumed today. Jeff Jones' 2-run homer accounted for all of the runs Schneider allowed in 3 and 2/3 innings. Schneider was able to make up for his one mistake by himself. He had three run-scoring singles to lead the Big Train offense.

The Big Train had five multi-run innings, including four runs in each of the sixth and eight innings. Clutch hitting across the lineup powered the Big Train offense. Four errors from the Thunderbolts helped as well.

Drew Lee (Morehead State) delivered the knockout punch, with a 2-run single in the 6th increasing the lead to 11-3.

Just like Schneider, Bill Murphy (Rutgers) was victimized by Jeff Jones. Jones' solo homer was the only run Murphy allowed in his inning and a third.

The fifteen runs for the Big Train were the most they've scored so far this season. Now on a two-game win streak, the Big Train will look to keep things rolling in the nightcap of tonight's doubleheader.

GAME TWO
Box Score
In the evening portion of tonight's double header, the Bethesda Big Train crushed the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 14-2 in front of a large crowd of 679 at Shirley Povich Field.

The Big Train got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. Third baseman Michael Cipolla (Saint Mary's CA) started the two-out rally with a groundball single through the right side of the infield. Designated hitter Scott Schneider (Saint Mary's CA) then walked to move Cipolla into scoring position before second baseman Jordan King (Meridian) drove in the run with a hard-hit line drive single into the outfield.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Big Train blew the game open as they sent ten batters to the plate. Right fielder Eli Boike (Michigan State) led off the inning with a triple into right field. Back-to-back RBI singles by center fielder Zach Kim (San Francisco) and shortstop Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) made the score 3-0. First baseman Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) then walked before catcher Dylan Tonneson (California) doubled in the third run of the inning. Left fielder Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) became the sixth consecutive Big Train batter to reach base as he tripled off the right field wall to score two more runs. Schneider then doubled to score Adkins and make the score 7-0.

The Thunderbolts cut the deficit to five with two runs in the top of the sixth but the Big Train came back with three runs of their own to increase the lead to eight runs. Kim led off the inning with a solo shot for the Big Train's first homer of the season. Leach and Stienstra then both singled and Tonneson walked to load the bases. Adkins made the score 10-2 as he drove in two runs with an RBI single into center field.

The Big Train tacked on three more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Kim walked and Leach reached on a fielder's choice before Stienstra drove in a run with a single. Tonneson then drove in the second run of the inning with an RBI fielder's choice before he scored on a single of the bat of Adkins, his fifth RBI of the game.

Starting pitcher Derek Caldwell (Rider) earned the win tonight as he allowed just two runs in his six innings of work, earning Caldwell the "Big Train Player of the Game" honor from the webcasters. "My job was just to go out there and throw strikes and keep us in the game," he told them. (Fans should be sure to listen after the finish of each home game for an interview with the player of the game.)

In relief, Quinn Ewert (Illinois State) and Matt Hiserman (San Francisco) combined to close out the game with three scoreless innings. Hiserman struck out the side in the ninth with stuff that could best be described as "filthy"--Hiserman has now struck out 7 batters without allowing a runner to reach base in three innings on the season.

Zach Kim set what is assumed to be a league record for reaching base ten times in the doubleheader.

Every Big Train batter had at least one hit in tonight's game.

"It was a total team effort. We played every at-bat well and pitched great," manager Sal Colangelo said.

Game Notes: Tonight was BCC Baseball night, and the Big Train welcomed all the BCC athletes who came to the game. The BCC Blaze were welcomed on to the field to take part in the opening ceremonies...The Big Train also welcomed Nationals' mascot Screech to the field tonight...Tonight's sponsor was FAB Electric...The Non-Profits of the Night were BCC Baseball the Montgomery County Collaboration Council.