July 31, 2005

The Rockville Express swept the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on Sunday, July 31, meaning that the Bethesda Big Train has clinched the Gazette newspapers-sponsored Montgomery Cup outright for the first time since 2001.

Bethesda had been 8-6 against its Montgomery County opponents heading into Saturday night's contest vs. the Thunderbolts, who went into the match-up 7-5 in the competition. The Big Train needed an extra-inning win over the T'Bolts and Rockville's Sunday sweep to clinch the Cup competition. Bethesda's game against the Express on Monday, August 1, will not impact the Montgomery Cup standings.

Montgomery Cup standings: Bethesda (9-6), Silver Spring-Takoma (7-8), Rockville (6-8).