Big Train drops 11-10 heartbreaker to Gaithersburg Giants

by Calvin Kaplan

John Martinez by Nora Kelley

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Despite great performances at the dish, the Bethesda Big Train fell 11-10 to the Gaithersburg Giants Saturday.

The Big Train lost in agonizingly close fashion, having loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. The team was led by multi-hit days from shortstop John Martinez (Florida Atlantic), center fielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina) and left fielder Brett Ott (Sacramento State).

“We’re taking good at-bats,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We’ve just got to get better with runners in scoring position.”

The top half of the first began with a Martinez sacrifice fly to put the Big Train ahead early. Gaithersburg responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning, but Big Train starter Russell Petersen (Whitman) bounced back nicely with three straight strikeouts.

The Big Train continued its momentum in the second, as Peltier came through with a huge two-RBI single. Petersen picked up two strikeouts and a popout in the bottom of the frame.

Martinez smacked a double into left field to begin the third. Soon after, first baseman Matt Westley (Undecided) brought him home on a sharp ground ball to tie the game at four. In the latter half of the third, Petersen allowed just one hit, keeping the score tied.

The Big Train started the fourth inning strong. Peltier reached on an error to bring catcher Dylan Murphy (Florida Atlantic) home, and second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama) brought Ott to the plate on a groundout.

After a sacrifice fly from Martinez, the Big Train went up 7-4, bringing up third baseman Logan Ponnett (North Carolina Charlotte). Ponnett had a grand slam in the season opener, and he delivered another bomb against the Giants, mashing a solo home run to left-center.

Petersen took care of business for a scoreless bottom of the fourth, and the Big Train began the fifth against new pitcher Ray Huke. Huke didn’t allow any runs in the top of the fifth, but Ott nearly added a homer with a well-hit ball to left-center that died just short of the fence.

In the latter half of the fifth, the Big Train brought in Connor Lehman (Alabama) to replace Petersen, who struck out six batters in total. The Giants scored five to take a 9-8 lead into the sixth, but Martinez added an RBI single to tie the score at nine.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Big Train brought Michael Devenney (Tulane) into the game. Devenney nearly got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam, but the Giants added a pair of runs to retake the lead.

Aidan Carey took the mound for Gaithersburg to start the seventh, and Wright drove Murphy home on a fielder’s choice. With the Big Train trailing 11-10, Devenney pitched a scoreless inning, quickly sending the game into the eighth.

Carey didn’t allow any runs, but Devenney also held the Giants scoreless with two more strikeouts, bringing his total to five on the day.

“I just felt comfortable being ahead of guys, staying ahead and putting them away,” Devenney said. “We know that everything’s in reach when we’re still competing and still throwing strikes.”

With the Big Train trailing 11-10 entering the ninth, right-hander Leo Simpson came in to pitch for the Giants. The Big Train loaded the bases before Ponnett faced new pitcher Evan Cerretani. Cerretani promptly retired Ponnett on a groundout, ending the game in heartbreaking fashion.

“They didn’t quit,” Colangelo said. “Kudos to them. They’ve got a good team.”

Today, the Big Train returns home for a 10 a.m. game against the Metro South County Braves.