Big Train evens series with impressive Game 2 victory

by Calvin Kaplan

James Gladden by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. — In the sixth inning of last night’s contest, Bethesda Big Train players had their backs against the wall.

Trailing 3-0 with its season on the line, the team jumpstarted its comeback with one simple swing of the bat.

A huge bases-clearing triple from shortstop John Martinez (Florida Atlantic) was enough to tie the score at three. From there, the Big Train came in clutch, relying on additional offense and elite pitching to secure a 6-4 win.

“We had more life and more energy in the dugout [after scoring three runs],” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “Once we did that, we were fine.”

The team’s victory was fueled by a myriad of well-timed performances. After a pair of scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth from left-hander Michael Madigan (George Mason), an RBI from center fielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina) gave the Big Train a 4-3 edge in the seventh.

“Michael Madigan was lights-out,” Colangelo said. “Can’t be any happier for him.”

The Senators managed to tie things at four. Still, two ninth-inning runs on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) and an RBI from right fielder Peyton Steele (Alabama) gave the Big Train a lead it would keep for good. The game was sealed by a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth from right-hander James Gladden (Maryland), who blew by Southern Maryland with effective fastballs and sliders.

“Just trying to be who I am all the time and not let the lights shake me,” Gladden said. “I knew if I got some heaters in the zone, then they would be messed up, and for the last pitch of the game, I did get a heater in the zone, and he broke his bat right at me.”

With its season still alive, the Big Train will face the Senators today in a Game 3 rubber match.

“We’re feeling great,” Martinez said. “We got all the momentum. All we gotta do is come out and execute.”

“You have to believe,” Colangelo said. “If you don’t believe in your abilities and what you can do, you’re defeated, you’re not going to be successful.”

Today’s game will take place at home at 7 p.m.

Click HERE to read the recap of yesterday’s thrilling win!