Bethesda Big Train Summer College Baseball

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Bethesda, MD 20824

Big Train Split Doubleheader with Braves


Saturday, July 19, 2008
by Will Sisco and David Biel
e-mail the Big Train writers at writers@bigtrain.org!
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score


Game 1:

In the first game of their doubleheader against the Herndon Braves, the Bethesda Big Train lost 4-3 in scorching 91 degree heat. With the loss, the Big Train drop to three games back of the first place Orioles for the time being.

The Braves took the early lead in the top of the first inning. Braves' centerfielder Mycal Jones led off the game with a walk. After reaching third on a stolen base and an error, Jones later came into score on an RBI groundout off the bat of leftfielder Joe Charron to make the score 1-0.

The Big Train came back with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Ryan Mulligan (Saint Mary's CA) walked and second baseman Jordan King (Meridian CC) singled to start the inning. First baseman Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) then layed down a perfect bunt down the third base line to advance runners before third baseman Michael Cipolla (Saint Mary's CA) drove in the tying run with a line drive single just over the shortstop's head.

Three hits and a couple of sacrifices in the bottom of the fourth gave the Big Train a two-run lead. Designated hitter Ben Jones (Auburn) led off the inning with a double into the right field corner. Shortstop Drew Lee (Morehead State) then singled to move Jones to third before rightfielder Eli Boike (Michigan State) drove in the first run of the inning with another single. Centerfielder Zach Kim (San Francisco) then advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt before Mulligan drove in Lee with a sacrifice fly to right field to make the score 3-1.

The Braves cut the deficit to one in the top of the fifth inning when rightfielder Shane Davis singled, stole second, and came around to score on a single by Charron. In the top of the sixth, Braves took a one-run lead as first baseman Matt Simone hit a two-run shot over the left field wall.

Big Train starting pitcher Derek Caldwell (Rider) struggled with his command early as he walked three batters in the first inning, but he came back strong to finish with one hit and one unearned run allowed and three strikeouts in his three innings of work.

Game 2:

In game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Braves on a clear night, the Bethesda Big Train were able to split the day's games, winning 4-0. Although the game was only seven innings long, Bethesda was able to get four runs, all coming in the fifth inning. Once again, Big Train SP Matt Hiserman (San Francisco) was dominant, pitching a scoreless complete game, striking out ten Braves and raising his record on the year to 3-0, not too shabby considering he also leads the league with 9 saves.

The first four innings went by without a single run from either team. The first highlight came in the bottom of the second inning, when Braves' CF Mycal Jones robbed Big Train catcher Dylan Tonneson (California) of a potential double when he jumped and caught Tonneson's smash at the center field wall. In the fourth inning, the Big Train threatened, but Braves' SP Pat Devlin was able to get out of the inning with runners on second and third.

Finally, with one out in the bottom of the fifth, Big Train got on the board. With outfielders Ben Jones (Auburn) and Zach Kim (San Francisco) on third and second base, DH Ryan Mulligan (St. Mary's CA) doubled to left-center field and drove both men in to make the score 2-0 Big Train. In the same inning, 1B Danny Steinstra (San Jose State) singled to right field, bringing in Mulligan from third. And to further extend the lead, Tonneson drove in Steinstra and reached first base himself on an error. Altogether, Bethesda broke out for four runs on five hits and took a 4-0 lead.

Without allowing a single run in the game, Hiserman kept his ERA on the year at a perfect 0.00, not having allowed a single run in 30.2 innings. Additionally, Hiserman did not walk a single Brave tonight, meaning he still has not walked a single batter this summer going into late July.

Game notes: Tonight, the Bethesda Big Train welcomed Al Galdi from Sports Talk 980, as well as mascot Dunkin and players from the Maryland Nighthawks...The first 100 fans under 12 received starter packets of baseball cards courtesy of Hall of Fame Cards...Tonight's game was sponsored by NIH Recreation and Welfare...The Non-Profit of the Night was A Wider Circle...The Big Train have another doubleheader tomorrow as they take on the College Park Bombers...Once again, the first game is at 5:00.