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Big Train’s Bats Fall Cold, Defeated 10-5 by the Giants in Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Classic
Bethesda Big Train First Baseman Emilio Gonzalez (45) stands in the batter’s box with fireworks in the background during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
BETHESDA, Md. — As fireworks lit up the night sky at Shirley Povich Field, the Bethesda Big Train recorded its third out in the ninth inning, wrapping up a tough loss to the Gaithersburg Giants. The Big Train only compiled three hits Friday night, giving up 17 hits to the Giants in a 10-5 defeat.
The Big Train finished the ballgame 1-for-19 with runners on and 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. In comparison, Gaithersburg produced a .333 batting average (6-for-18) when runners were on second or third base.
“We got to make better adjustments at the plate,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “They came out swinging. We hit some hard balls, but yeah, they're a good team.”
However, Bethesda’s plate discipline shined when the team could not record hits.
The Big Train drew three walks to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning. In a two-out situation, shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) held off on four straight balls to bring in a run.
In the Big Train’s next at bat, second baseman Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) worked his way out of a 1-2 count with three straight balls. The additional run reduced Bethesda’s deficit to six.
Bethesda also left 11 runners on base Friday night. First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) started the fourth inning with a walk. Then, center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base for the Big Train. However, a flyout ended the inning.
The Big Train also had two runners on during the bottom of the sixth inning. Yet again, Bethesda could not capitalize with runs.
Left fielder Logan Ponnett (George Mason) walked to start the frame before two quick outs against the Big Train. Ponett then moved to second base after a passed ball, followed by a wild pitch to advance to third.
Third baseman Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) followed with a walk to put runners on the corners. With two outs, right fielder Aaron Ritenour (East Tennessee State) stepped into the batter’s box. Ritenour worked his way into a 2-2 count, but ended the inning with a strikeout swinging.
Ponnett scored one run in the ninth inning off a catcher Jack Gagen’s (Tusculum) single to reduce the Big Train’s deficit to five runs. However, a strikeout from Haacke sealed the game for the Giants.
“I would like to see better approaches and better plate awareness at the plate,” Colangelo said. “I can't even tell you how many pop-ups we had … We wanted to try to fly it out of the ballpark. It wasn't flying out today.”
Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jake Nobles (25) pitches during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Right-handed pitcher Jake Nobles (St. Mary’s) started Friday’s game, but the Giants were effective against the 6-foot-4 hurler. Nobles finished his Big Train debut giving up three runs while striking out two opposing hitters. He also gave up seven hits in his 55 pitches — 37 of which were strikes.
Bethesda rebounded from a two-run second inning from the Giants, tacking on one run to cut the deficit in half. After Gonzalez walked, Ponnett grounded into a fielder’s choice. With one out, Ponnett stole second base to move into scoring position. A flyout for the Big Train’s second out led to Haacke digging into the batter’s box. Haacke then rocketed a double to the outfield wall, bringing in Ponnett for the score.
The Big Train added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning after giving up seven runs in the top half of the frame. Johnson tripled into the right corner of fair territory. A sacrifice fly from second baseman Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) to left field was deep enough to score Johnson.
Right-hander Nathan Wines (East Carolina) relieved Nobles in the fourth inning, only giving up one earned run during his time on the mound. However, Wines gave up six hits in his 15 batters faced and six more unearned runs. The Glen Burie, Maryland, native also struck out two Giants.
Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) showed his spectacular defense Friday. Gramesty leads the Ripken League in runners caught stealing from behind the dish. In the top of the third inning, Gramesty threw out a Giants baserunner to improve his season-long mark of 12 baserunners caught stealing in 11 games.
Gramesty showed off his defensive abilities in the top of the seventh. After the Giants’ baserunner advanced to third off a passed ball, left-handed pitcher Jackson Mirza’s (South Florida) next pitch got behind Gramesty. The catcher then made an athletic dive to get the runner out at home plate and keep Bethesda down 10-2.
“When I have days like this at the plate, it kind of makes up for it,” Gramesty said. “So, if I throw a few guys out, just try to focus on helping the team out.”
Mirza toed the rubber for the fourth time this season. The two-way player entered the contest in the sixth inning, pitching for two innings. Even though he did not produce a strikeout, Mirza did not give up a run and only allowed two hits.
Bethesda Big Train Third Baseman Logan Ponnett (6) slides into third base during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
After a slow night at the plate for designated hitter Zachary Malvasio (UCF), he threw two innings of relief to finish Friday’s game. Malvasio gave up two hits and no runs, while striking out three Giants in 37 pitches thrown.
Entering Friday’s showdown, Malvasio hit four home runs in his previous three games. Malvasio also compiled eight RBIs in that span. However, the Giants were able to limit the red-hot hitter. The Southwest Ranches, Florida, native was limited to a 0-for-4 performance from the plate with one walk.
Bethesda turns its attention to a doubleheader at the Metro South Braves Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the second game is slated to start at 7 p.m.
“They weren't down,” Colangelo said. “They still scrapped and battle, and we won't let them quit. This isn't our nature, and we'll get after it.”