Big Train Defeat Southern Maryland Senators in First 2026 Exhibition Game

Julius Bagnerise by Matthew Lewyn

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BETHESDA, Md. — As fans entered Shirley Povich Field Friday for the first bout on the Bethesda Big Train’s exhibition schedule, a sense of excitement filled the air. The Big Train started the 2026 season aiming for a chance to add another championship to the team’s storied 27-season history.

A 13th Ripken League title would add to the Big Train’s league-record total, and a fourth consecutive championship would give Bethesda its second run of four straight.

Although the game will not count toward the regular season standings, a 9-4 victory for the Big Train over the Southern Maryland Senators marked the first positive note in the team’s 2026 campaign.

“We did a lot of good things,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We are just trying to get everyone on the same page. They play all the different styles of baseball where they come from. We just got to start playing ‘Big Train baseball.’”

Logan Ponnett by Matthew Lewyn

Bethesda found early success in the first inning as four runs crossed home plate on four hits. Second baseman Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) started the game with a lead-off walk before third baseman Cal Johnson (Maryland) ripped a single to left field.

After a wild pitch moved two runners into scoring position, right fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) hit a two-run single to put the Big Train ahead. Then, a double from center fielder Jackson Mirza (South Florida) brought Foscolo in. An error from the Senators’ right fielder helped shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) close out the four run first.

“They all showed flashes of greatness, but you can tell they've been off,” Colangelo said. “When you're not working on your craft and your skill every day, you kind of lose your feel. But I mean, everyone took great at-bats at times.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Big Train turned to left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky) to start the game. Gagen, left-handed pitcher Terry Kaler (Gaston) and right-handed pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) combined to throw 5.0 innings. The trio allowed seven hits and four runs, while striking out eight batters.

With college seasons still ongoing, Bethesda had only six arms available tonight. Smith and Gagen both threw 2.0 innings apiece, while Kaler was in between the pair during the third inning. From the sixth inning onward, Southern Maryland loaned pitchers to help the Big Train's defense gain on-field experience.

"You gotta use what you got,” Colangelo said. “But then you also gotta be able to have enough to do what you need to do. So we just got to work with what we got and move on.”

Smith put together a strong showing on the mound in the fourth and fifth innings. The Stonewall, Louisiana, native struck out four hitters — two swinging and two looking. He only gave up one hit and one walk in his seven batters faced.

“It's been a while since I've been on the mound,” Smith said.  “I just wanted to go out there, just throw the ball hard and throw it for strikes. I think what we can take from this game as a team is just keep battling in the zone.”

Terry Kaler by Matthew Lewyn

On the offensive side, Foscolo stood out with a 2-for-4 night at the plate and three RBI. The Orlando, Florida, native added his last RBI in the ninth inning after a single to left field brought home designated hitter Logan Ponnett (Gaston).

Ponnett finished the game with three RBIs, scoring catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) and extra hitter Parker Corbin (Maryland) in the fourth inning.

In the ninth inning, Ponnett scored Johnson with a single to left field for his final RBI of the contest. Johnson got on base after drawing a walk and stole second base. A throwing error from Southern Maryland’s catcher moved Johnson up to third.

The Big Train returns to Shirley Povich Field Saturday against the Yorktown Coconuts. Bethesda’s final exhibition game will be against the Gaithersburg Giants on Sunday.

“Even if it's preseason, I'm too competitive not to want to win,” Colangelo said. “We just want to see how they swing the bat, how they're up there for command, looking at their swing, so we could work with them with the adjustment with the wood.”

Opening Night is June 2, with the Big Train facing the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. Bethesda took the season series last year after winning four out of five games the pair played. Silver Spring-Takoma finished the 2025 regular season with a 14-19 record. Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.