BT Manufactures Another Win, Improve to 11-3

Saturday, June 21, 2009
by Zach Stone and Jason Krakower
e-mail the Big Train writers at writers@bigtrain.org!
Box Score

In front of a star-studded crowd on Father's Day featuring Nationals' Manager Manny Acta, expert Phil Wood, and author Jim Hartley, the Big Train kept on rolling, beating the College Park Bombers 5-1 to remain undefeated at Povich Field.

The Big Train started the scoring early, as Connor Bernatz (San Francisco) and Eli Boike (Michigan State) each singled to lead off the first inning. After a double steal by the team's leaders in stolen bases, Bernatz then scored on an RBI groundout by Jarrod Parks (Mississippi State).

The team manufactured two more runs in the fifth inning to take a three-run lead. First baseman Michael Bottoms (Morehead State) started the inning with a single, and was sacrificed over by shortstop Justin Roland (UNC-Charlotte).

"I just try to hit the ball hard, even if its at somebody," Michael Bottoms said. "I just try to hit the ball hard each at-bat."

After a beautiful bunt for a single by Bernatz, Boike laced a line drive off of the pitcher for an infield single, bringing Bottoms home. Manager Sal Colangelo took advantage of his team's speed once again, as Bernatz and Boike executed another double steal. With two runners in scoring position, designated hitter Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) flied out deep enough to center to score Bernatz from third.

With the score at 3-0, the Bombers broke the shutout with an unearned run.

An inning later, the Big Train tacked on two more runs by capitalizing on a crucial error. Catcher Ryan Mulligan (St. Mary's CA) attempted a sacrifice bunt after the first two batters reached base, and a wild throw to first allowed both Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) and Jordan King (Meridian CC) to score for the team's last two runs of the game.

Big Train starter Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic) earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings without allowing an earned run. The Big Train bullpen was dominant once again, as Nolan Rudman (Ventura CC) and Mike Matta (Mt. Saint Mary's) combined for 3.1 shutout innings, striking out six without allowing a walk.

Game Notes: The Big Train welcomed Nationals manager Manny Acta and the ImpACTA kids foundation, Nationals expert Phil Wood, and Nationals writer Jim Hartley for Nationals Night. The trio signed autographs, took pictures, and participated in webcast interviews...Tonight's attendance was 804...The Big Train "Bucks for Ballfields" Raffle raised $260 for youth ball-fields...The non-profits of the night were Bethesda Cares and Montgomery Coalition for Adult Literacy. Sunday's Win by Hugh Adams marked the fourth win by a BCC Baseball-developed Big Train pitcher. Adams and Gabe Feldman are each 2-0 on the summer.