Big Train Bests Braves at Home, 7-5

Shirley Povich Field stayed dry on Wednesday evening as the Bethesda Big Train (9-3) took on the FCA Braves (5-7) for the first time this season. The Big Train prevailed 7-5, racking up six hits and eight walks in the win.

Bethesda hosted 375 fans for Scout Night, thrilling the community and supporting the local scout troops. “Like all the other programs we have here, it really ties back to the team. The team gives and they give back, it really gives us the spirit of playing,” Jack Weeks (Georgetown), a former boy scout said about Scout Night.

Scoring started early in the game, though not for the Big Train. The opposing FCA Braves pulled ahead in the top of the first, leading Big Train 1-0, and added a run in each of the next two frames to make it 3-0.

The Train was ready to rumble though, and quickly tied the score in the bottom of the third. Ryan Daugherty (St. Mary’s CA) advanced to first after being hit by a pitch, and found his way to third when Darius Foster (San Francisco) roped a double. After an error committed by the Braves’ right fielder, Daugherty raced home to put Bethesda on the board. Foster found home after another error on the Braves, this one from their third baseman. Gio Diaz (St. Mary's CA) made it to first on that same error, later scoring the tying run after a sac fly by Jacob Southern (Jacksonville).

After a solo homer by the Braves in the top of the fourth, Bethesda replied in big fashion. Matt Thomas (William & Mary) and Tate Soderstrom (University of Arizona) walked. Keith Torres III (Sacramento State) made it to first on an error by the pitcher as Thomas headed home. A quick double steal later, both Soderstrom and Torres were in scoring position. Soderstrom headed home on a sac fly by Martin Vincelli-Simard (Sacramento State), advancing Torres closer to the final destination. Daugherty returned to the plate, smacking a single to bring Torres home. Foster then walked and advanced to third on an error, before a single by Kobe Kato (University of Arizona) brought Foster home to make it 6-4. 

The Braves totaled four errors on the evening, which Big Train managed to take advantage of. “It gave us a good jump that we needed," Foster said after the game. "They made some bad plays, we capitalized when we needed to.”

Big Train kept the lead for the remainder of the evening, shutting down any hope of a win for the Braves. The Braves would add to their score once more in the top of the eighth. A triple brought in Landon Langston, who found his way to first after a single. Elliot Zoellner (Maryland) threw a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the season and close out a 7-5 win. 

Bethesda Big Train will host the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Head out to Shirley Povich Field to enjoy Star Wars Night! Dress up as your favorite Star Wars character to gain free admission. Don’t believe Admiral Ackbar, it definitely isn’t a trap!