Love pitches BT to victory on opening night

Saturday, June 6, 2009
by Zach Stone and Jason Krakower
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Box Score

As NBA star Jeff Green watched from the Shirley Povich Field stands, the Bethesda Big Train opened their 11th season with an impressive 4-0 win over the visiting College Park Bombers. Green was on hand as a special guest for the Big Train's "Green Out."

The Big Train were held scoreless through the first three innings, but tallied in the fourth and with a three-run inning. Center fielder Connor Bernatz (San Francisco) got things started with a bunt single, and a two-out intentional walk to former league MVP Mike Celenza (Salisbury) set the table for an RBI single by second baseman Jordan King (Meridian). Left fielder Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) then drew a bases-loaded walk to put another run on the board. The Big Train tacked on their third run of the inning when designated hitter Michael Bottoms (Morehead State) reached on an error and plated King.

The Big Train continued their scoring in the eighth inning with a terrific display of small-ball to manufacture a run. Right fielder Eli Boike (Michigan State) reached on an infield single to lead off the inning, then stole both second and third base. Celenza did his job and brought him home with a groundout to the second baseman.

Big Train starting pitcher Cameron Love (San Francisco) was dominant in his seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out six. Love did not walk a single batter in the game.

"I felt a lot more comfortable today," Love said. "I threw in exhibition but didn't have command, and I got back on line today. I got ahead of hitters, and that was the biggest thing." Love was named the Player of the Game.

Relief pitchers Mike Matta (Mt. St. Mary's) and Nolan Rudman (Ventura) each pitched a scoreless inning to follow Love, and neither pitcher yielded a single hit to the Bombers.

"The staff is great this year," Love said. "We have a lot of guys with great arms that can give us quality innings."

Game Notes: Tonight's attendance was 1,160, an all-time CRSL regular-season game record...All fans in attendance received a free Big Train souvenir program...The first 200 fans also received a green t-shirt courtesy of tonight's sponsor, The Greene Turtle...Oklahoma City Thunder forward and former Georgetown Hoya basketball star Jeff Green was available pre-game for an autograph session, threw an honorary first pitch, and gave an interview from the press box...Tonight's non-profits were A Wider Circle, BCC Baseball, and Lead4Life...Tonight's raffle raised $153 to improve youth Softball and Baseball fields.