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Big Train Game Against Cropdusters Postponed in Seventh Inning
Bethesda Big Train pitcher Austin Monahan (29) pitches the ball during a Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League game against the Olney Cropdusters on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Shirley Povich Field at Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
BETHESDA, Md. — After over an hour delay due to severe weather in the Bethesda area, Saturday night’s matchup between the Big Train and Cropdusters finally kicked off much to the relief of the fans at Shirley Povich Field.
However, all nine innings were not played Saturday night. With Povich Field being on Montgomery County Parks land, a curfew of 11:15 p.m. took effect during the seventh inning. With the lights in the stadium being turned off, Saturday’s contest was suspended until a later date.
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At the time of the stoppage in the top of the seventh inning, the Big Train held a 6-5 advantage. Olney plated three runs in the seventh frame with a baserunner on second with no outs. Bethesda combined for seven hits throughout the six innings the Big Train were up to hit.
“I saw the team just kind of start jelling, starting to play like a team,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We weren't doing the little things that don't show up in the stats. So they're starting to play the game like they're supposed to.”
Bethesda started the scoring early with a one-run first inning. Designated hitter Cal Johnson (Maryland) started the frame with a walk. Johnson advanced to second base before a quick jump helped him steal third. Coming off a 2-for-2 performance Friday night, third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) grounded out but brought Johnson in to score.
Bethesda Big Train center fielder Jackson Mirza (2) watches the ball during a Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League game against the Olney Cropdusters on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Shirley Povich Field at Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Right fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) continued the Big Train’s hot start from the plate by driving a single to left field to score shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) from second base.
Right-handed pitcher Austin Monahan (State College of Florida) started Saturday’s game. He pitched 2.2 innings on the Povich Field mound, striking out three opposing hitters. Monahan did not give up a hit or run in his first two innings pitched before giving up two runs in the third inning.
Right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) relieved Monahan with two outs and a runner on first base. He then struck out the Cropdustes hitter to get out of the third inning.
Capuano finished his outing after 3.1 innings of no-hit pitching. The Bristow, Virginia, native tossed two strikeouts and walked five opposing hitters in his third performance of the season.
“Jordan was absolutely awesome,” Colangelo said. “He's going to relax, but he's so mechanic. He did an amazing job, and it’s just the start of great things this season going forward.”
After a zero-spot in the second inning, Bethesda threatened to score again in the third. Haacke was the first Big Train baserunner of the frame, moving to second base after a wild pitch. Left fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) moved Haacke to third with a single that dribbled through the left side of the infield for the Cropdusters.
However, the Big Train could not take advantage with a runner on third. First baseman Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) then made solid contact but flew out to Olney’s center fielder, who threw Haacke out at home to end the inning.
Bethesda Big Train infielder Casey Carpenter (28) points during a Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League game against the Olney Cropdusters on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Shirley Povich Field at Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
The Big Train then drew three consecutive walks in the fourth frame. Second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama), third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) and Machado reached base. Yet, Bethesda could not tack on a run in a 2-2 ballgame. Wright was caught stealing at second base, and two other Big Train players struck out.
Carpenter finally broke through for Bethesda in the fifth inning. The Bel Air, Maryland, native launched a double to the outfield wall, bringing in courtesy runner TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) — who pinch ran for catcher Parker Corbin (Maryland) throughout the game — and Haacke.
Johnson followed behind with a single to center field. Carpenter crossed theplate without a slide due to the Cropdusters center fielder misplaying the ball and not attempting a throw home. Johnson then stole second base before Ponnett brought him in with an RBI single to extend Big Train’s lead to 6-2.
Bethesda tried to tack on more insurance runs in the sixth inning, but ultimately came up short. Corbin and Carpenter were both hit by pitches to put baserunners on first and second. In a two-out scenario, the Big Train offense could not advance the runners any further, stranding them in a zero-run inning.
Bethesda dropped the first matchup with Olney this season, losing 13-7 to the Cropdusters June 3. The Big Train led 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning before giving up an eight-spot to Olney. Bethesda finished the game with 10 hits, but could not overcome the Cropdusters 13 knocks.
“We're going to execute the fundamentals,” Colangelo said. “We play from the first pitch to the last pitch, and we're gonna play the game the right way. It's unfortunate that the lights went out, and we can't control it.”