Big Train Grab the Win vs. Redbirds

Sunday, June 15, 2008
by Jason Krakower
e-mail the Big Train writers at writers@bigtrain.org!
Box Score

On a clear and sunny Father's Day, the Bethesda Big Train defeated the Maryland Redbirds for the second time in the 2008 season, this time by a narrow score of 7-5. After winning the first contest by a score of 6-0, the Big Train came in hoping to shut down the Redbirds offense again, riding the arm of starting pitcher Brandon McClurg (Lipscomb).

The Redbirds threatened to end their scoreless streak early in the first inning as they loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, but McClurg got out of the jam, getting Maryland's Gavin Swanson to fly out to end the inning. After the Redbirds took the lead on a solo home run in the third inning, the Big Train answered in the bottom of the inning with key contributions from the bottom of the order. Second baseman Jordan King (Meridian CC) started the inning with a walk, and advanced to second on a single by catcher Ryan Mulligan (St. Mary's CA). Right fielder Eli Boike (Michigan State) loaded the bases when his sacrifice bunt attempt did not draw a throw, and he reached first base safely. The Big Train tallied their first run when leadoff hitter Zach Kim (San Francisco) drew a walk, which marked only the second time that Maryland pitcher Ben White had allowed a run this season. The runs would keep on coming, however, as singles by shortstop Drew Lee (Morehead State) and first baseman Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) drove in three more to go ahead 4-1.

The Redbirds came right back in the top of the fourth, scoring two more runs on a sacrifice fly and a single. McClurg was pulled after the inning, allowing a total of three earned runs on five hits in four innings of work. Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic), a Bethesda native, came on in relief, and his only misstep was a high fastball that was driven for a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Following Adams' two solid innings, David VanVoorhees (Marietta) came on to provide some relief for the Big Train, pitching a scoreless seventh frame. VanVoorhees became the pitcher of record when the Big Train's bats came alive again in the bottom of the seventh. With two men on, Kim launched a double to deep right-center field, scoring Quinn Ewert (Illinois State), who entered as a pinch-runner, and Scott Schneider (St. Mary's CA), who walked as a pinch-hitter.

"I had faced [pitcher Hernan Colmendarez] before...and I was expecting a fastball," Kim said.

The Big Train tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth when Player of the Week Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) drove in Stienstra with a single down the right field line. Leading 7-5, manager Sal Colangelo brought in closer Matt Hiserman (San Francisco) to pitch the ninth inning. Hiserman got the first two outs via fielder's choice, and used his deadly slider to strike out the final Redbirds batter to end the game and pick up his second save of the year.

Game Notes: In honor of Father's Day, all fathers were allowed to go on the field prior to the game to play catch with their children...The Big Train welcomed all athletes and coaches attending the game from Bethesda Little League. The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club provided the funding for the fence at North Chevy Chase Field where the league plays its games. For the first time in Little League history (almost 70 years) Little League baseball has come to the town of Bethesda...Tonight is also a Washington Parent Night..the Big Train welcomed anthem singer Mark Pattison, who co-authored the book Sock it to 'em Tigers with David Raglin...The Non-Profits of the Night were the Jewish Council for the Aging and the Bethesda Little League...Tonight's attendance was 450.