Bethesda Big Train Summer College Baseball

301.983.1006
faninfo@bigtrain.org
P. O. Box 30306
Bethesda, MD 20824

BT dances to victory

by Zach Stone and Jason Krakower
Monday, July 13th, 2009

On the 30th anniversary of Disco Demolition Night, the Big Train celebrated by topping the Maryland Redbirds 9-3, and strengthened their hold on first place in the CRSL. 

The Big Train offense jumped on the Redbirds quickly, as center fielder Connor Bernatz (San Francisco) doubled to right to begin the inning. Right fielder Eli Boike (Michigan State) stepped up the plate next and ripped a line drive over the right field fence for a two-run homer.

With the score tied at two in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Big Train broke the game open on a key miscue by the Redbirds. With runners on first and second, designated hitter Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) dropped down a successful sacrifice bunt attempt, but the Redbirds pitched launched a late throw over the third baseman's head. That error allowed both Danny Stienstra (San Jose State) and Jarrod Parks (Mississippi State) to score. After Adkins advanced to third on a groundout, first baseman Mike Celenza (Salisbury) drove him home with another groundout, giving the Big Train a 5-2 lead.

The Big Train showed no signs of slowing down late in the game, pushing across three more runs in the seventh inning. After consecutive singles by left fielder Jack Mosbacher (Stanford) and Bernatz, Stienstra drove one home with a double to right-center field. Later in the inning, catcher Cody Freeman (Mississippi State) and Celenza drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks to bring home two more runs. In the eighth, Bernatz came home on a single by Stienstra for the team's final run.

Starter Jordan Beistline (Jacksonville State) earned the win in seven innings for the Big Train, and was perfect through four innings. Beistline allowed two runs in his start, surrendering three hits, walking one, and striking out six. Nolan Rudman (Ventura) blanked the Redbirds in the eighth, and James LoPresti (Sonoma State) allowed a run in his inning of relief.