Smith Slams Door Shut, Seals Big Train 6-5 Win in Game 1 of Doubleheader Against Braves

Bethesda Big Train Shortstop Julius Bagnerise (3) runs toward home plate during the first game of a doubleheader against the Metro South County Braves at South County High School on Saturday, June 29, 2026 in Lorton, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

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LORTON, Va. — After tying the game at five in the top of the fifth inning, the Bethesda Big Train turned to right-handed pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) for backend relief. The Big Train previously dropped their previous three games in the late innings.

Today, Smith slammed the door shut on the Metro South County Braves and faced the minimum in his three innings of work.

The righty closed the contest for the Big Train, helping them push past the Braves 6-5 in seven innings. The victory snapped Bethesda’s three-game losing streak and gave the Big Train the win in the first of two games Saturday at South County High School.

“(Kyzer Smith) is phenomenal,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “He wants to compete. He would have went out there to throw the seventh inning for the second game if I let him, but I would never let him do that.”

Smith finished his outing with back-to-back strikeouts, bringing the game total up to six punchouts to improve his league-leading number to 22. The Stonewall, Louisiana, native faced nine opposing hitters in his three innings of work, racking up 36 pitches. Smith gave up a hit in the fifth inning, but catcher Jack Gagen (Tusculum) threw the baserunner out trying to steal second to end the inning.

Bethesda tacked on the game-winning run in the sixth inning. Gonzalez started the frame with a walk, then Haacke followed with a hard-hit single to left field.

Cal Johnson (Maryland) entered the game on Gonzalez’s behalf as a pinch runner. In the next at-bat, Johnson and Haacke advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Gagen got his job done, hitting a groundball to second. Despite the infield in, the Braves’ throw home was not in time, allowing Johnson to score and gain a lead that the Big Train wouldn’t surrender.

“We have ups and downs,” second baseman Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) said. “I think when we hit, like we can pretty much win every game”

Bethesda could have tacked on another run, but the Braves' defense held the Big Train. Gagen got himself into a pickle between first and second base trying to draw attention away from Haacke on third, who attempted to score. However, Metro South County was quick to react, throwing out Haacke at home.

Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jack Sams (31) pitches during the first game of a doubleheader against the Metro South County Braves at South County High School on Saturday, June 29, 2026 in Lorton, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Right-handed pitcher Jack Sams (Kentucky) started the matinee game of the doubleheader. Sams hurled four innings for Bethesda, giving up five hits and striking out two Braves.

Sams recorded a 1-2-3 inning to open up the game. The righty struck out his second hitter faced and was backed up by good defense from center fielder Jackson Mirza (South Florida) and Ponnett.

The Big Train scored first Saturday afternoon with a one-run second inning.

Right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF) opened the inning by almost hitting his fifth home run of the season. However, the ball bounced off the top of the wall, and Malvasio settled for a double. Third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on for Bethesda.

Ponnett and Malvasio moved into scoring position after a wild pitch, giving first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southern) a prime opportunity. Gonzalez grounded out to second, scoring Malvasio for the first run of the game.

After allowing three runs in the bottom of the second inning, Bethesda responded in the top half of the third frame to tie the game at 3.

Gagen began the inning with a walk before Bagnersie singled. Bethesda then recorded two outs, leading to Malvasio’s second at bat. The Southwest Ranches, Florida, native added two RBIs with a single to left field, bringing his season total to 10.

“We said to do what you do, don't do too much, don't do what you're not capable of doing,” Colangelo said.

Bethesda Big Train Right Fielder Zachary Malvasio (37) stands in the batter’s box during the first game of a doubleheader against the Metro South County Braves at South County High School on Saturday, June 29, 2026 in Lorton, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Bethesda battled from behind again in the fifth inning after giving up two runs to the Braves in the bottom of the fourth. 

Gagen became the third Big Train leadoff hitter to reach base Saturday with a single to right field. Bagnerise then doubled to move Gagen to third base. Designated hitter Brennon Wright (South Alabama) then grounded to second base for Gagen to come home to score.

Shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) followed with a sacrifice fly to center field. The Braves' relay throw from center sailed over the catcher’s head, allowing Bagnerise to tie the game at five.

“We have the same approach,” Bagnersie said. “We're never out of a game, so even when we go down, we try to think it's not that big of a deal, and we just keep telling each other this.”

Bethesda now prepares for the second game in Saturday’s doubleheader at Metro South County. The Big Train will be back at Shirley Povich Field Sunday for Father’s Day, as the Giants return to Povich Field again for a 5 p.m. first pitch. Fans can get their photos with the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, George and Abe.

FitBite Orthodontics is offering a battery-operated hand fan to the first 500 fans. Fans should also arrive early, as dads and kids can play catch on the field between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m.

Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.