Bethesda Big Train Summer College Baseball

301.983.1006
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P. O. Box 30306
Bethesda, MD 20824

Adkin's Walk-off exhilarates crowd in extras


In a battle between two teams in the CRSL, the first place Bethesda Big Train defeated Youse's Orioles 4-3 in 11 innings. Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) delivered a walk-off single over the rightfielder's head with the bases loaded to give the Big Train their first lead of the night, and a three game lead in the hunt for the #1 seed.

The Orioles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Big Train quickly cut the lead in half. Eli Boike (Michigan State) and Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) singled back-to-back, and Boike later scored on an Orioles' error.

After a solo home run extended the Orioles lead to 3-1, the Big Train quickly answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the third. Jarrod Parks (Mississippi State) singled up the middle, plating Boike once again.

In the top of the sixth, Parks made one of the defensive plays of the year. The Orioles shortstop hit a flair into shallow leftfield, and Parks dove with full extension towards the leftfield corner, catching the ball just inches off the ground.

The Big Train tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning when a Stienstra double--his fourth hit of the game--knocked in Boike, his third run of the game.

Connor Bernatz (San Francisco) led off the decisive 11th inning with an infield single, and advanced to second on a wild throw. After a sacrifice bunt, Bernatz found himself on third base with only one out. The Orioles elected to intentionally walk the Big Train's #3 and #4 hitters, Stienstra and Parks, setting the stage for Adkins to end the game. The third-year Big Train player, who is batting over .350 this season, lined the ball over the rightfielders head, and the crowd went wild. Bernatz trotted home to score the winning run, making the final score 4-3.

Seth Hester (Southern Mississippi State) pitched a strong seven innings, allowing three runs but striking out five. Nolan Rudman (Ventura College) was dominant, pitching four scoreless innings. Rudman did not allow a hit, and struck out six.

"My fastball and slider were both working pretty well tonight," Rudman said.

Game Notes: Tonight was Latino Baseball Night, retiring #21 and honoring baseball great, Roberto Clemente...All fans received a Jumbo Roberto Clemente baseball card...DC Ward 5 councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. submitted a resolution adopted by the city council in praise of the Bethesda Big Train, the LEDC, and Latino Baseball Night at Shirley Povich Field...Tonight was also Washington Freedom Night, as the Big Train welcomed US National Team star Cat Whitehill as well as Freedom mascot Glory...The night also included multiple performances by the Washington Revels...Tonight's Bucks for Ballfields raffle rasied a season-high $381, with the help of special guest John Kelly from the Washington Post...All proceeds went to send a kid to camp...Tonight's attendance was 762...In an unfortunate yet ironic twist, Big Train catcher Mason Morioka (San Francisco) hit a foul ball into the parking lot, and it shattered a car window of Brent Weingardt -- his host-family father.