Bellis, Big Train Offense Demolish Braves in 12-0 Mercy Rule Victory

by Alex Rubinson

Sal Colangelo addressing team pregame by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Drew Bellis (University of Central Florida) took the mound for the Bethesda Big Train against the Metro South County Braves. In the top of the first, the league leader in strikeouts got to work. The southpaw started the day by striking out JW Kohlmeyer swinging. Franklin Gomez Jr. singled to try to spark an early rally for the Braves. After Bellis recorded his second punch out of the frame, Trent Adelman reached on an infield hit. With two on out and two out, Bellis pounded the zone. He struck out Shawn Karpaitas to escape the first inning with no damage.

“First inning, I utilized my offspeed a little bit more,” Bellis said. “I’m not going to put more pressure on myself. I stayed calm and just focused on one pitch at a time.”

After the early scare, the Big Train steamrolled the Braves 12-0 in a mercy rule win. The Big Train used a five-run explosion in the bottom of the first to cruise to victory.

“[Bellis] has got good stuff,” Manager Sal Colangelo said. “[He has] great mechanics, throws first pitch strikes and can throw three pitches for a strike. He’s more aggressive than defensive.”

In the home half of the first, Alex Peltier (East Carolina University) and Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) each singled. Josh Skowronski (Winthrop University) brought in the first run of the day with a base hit. After the Big Train scored their second run on an error, Matt Westley (undecided) blooped a double into right to plate another Big Train run. Peyton Steele (University of Alabama) kept the rally going with a productive out for the RBI. Later in the frame, John Martinez (Florida Atlantic University) swiped second base. The throw bounced off of Martinez and into the outfield. Westley came in to score to give Bellis a five-run cushion heading into the second inning.

Matt Westley by Mark Thalman

“[Dudeck] could only get his fastball over,” Colangelo said. “We went up there looking fastball, and we also went up there knowing that he can get deep into the count and walk some people.”

The Big Train continued to hit the gas. Skowronski knocked in another run with his second RBI single in as many innings. The Braves brought their infield in after already being down 6-0. Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic University) hit a hard ground ball past first base. The base hit brought in two more runs for the Big Train.

“I was thinking about hitting something to the outfield,” Gonzalez said. “I was little early, rolled it over but hard enough to get through and score the runs.”

Bellis dominated for the rest of his outing. The lefty recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his five innings. In addition to the first frame, Bellis retired all three outs via the strikeout in the fourth inning. He finished with 10 strikeouts and only surrendered three hits. The UCF sophomore sits only three strikeouts shy of tying the Cal Ripken Sr. League single-season record of 60 punchouts.

“Preparing everyday to be ready,” Bellis said of his great tempo on the bump. “All that work gives me the confidence to go out there and know that I’m where I need to be.”

Drew Bellis by Mark Thalman

Steele and Martinez had their first hits of the ballgame when the duo pelted consecutive doubles to plate another run for the Big Train. The run got Colangelo's lineup into double-digits for the afternoon.

In the eighth inning, the Big Train had a commanding 11-0 lead and was a win away from a mercy rule win. Dylan Murphy (Florida Atlantic University) belted one into the gap. The line drive scored Martinez to seal the 12-0 shutout win for the Big Train.

In addition to Bellis, Cole Ketchum (University of Mississippi) had a terrific day on the mound. The right-hander struck out five, as he punched out the side in the seventh. He faced just one over the minimum through his three innings of work.

“Ever since we took him off starting and just had him relief, he’s been lights out,” Colangelo said. “He filled the zone up.”

Every single Big Train starter recorded a hit on Sunday. Gonzalez led the way with three knocks and three RBIs. Skowronski, Steele and Wright all tallied two hits in the win. Skowronski also added a pair of RBIs. Seven of the nine starters had an RBI in the contest.

Emilio Gonzalez by Mark Thalman

The Big Train also hosted Veterinary Park Potomac on Sunday. Dr. Katie Malehorn represented the locally-owned business at Shirley Povich Field. Malehorn is proud of the amount of time they spend with each of their clients.

“One of our goals coming in is better medicine, better surgery, and the best customer service,” Malehorn said. “We have a really special job. We get to do really meaningful work every day.”

Malehorn is thankful for the partnership with the Big Train. She loves that she gets to do what fills her heart and her biggest joy is “being part of the community.”

The Big Train will hit the road later today against the DC Grays at 7 p.m. They will return home for a makeup game against the Gaithersburg Giants on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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