Big Train Fall 5-4 to Braves

BETHESDA, Md — The Bethesda Big Train (22-10) stayed at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday evening as they took on the Metro South County Braves (16-17) in a cross-divisional makeup game originally scheduled for July 5.

The Big Train players took full advantage of the off day on Monday, as the team will have to play the final seven games of the regular season in the next seven days.

Starting left-handed pitcher Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina University) made his sixth start for the Big Train this season, extending his team lead of innings pitched (30.2) and strikeouts (31). He kicked off Tuesday evening’s game with two groundouts and a three-pitch strikeout.

However, it was the Braves that would strike first, as the leadoff batter got on base in the top of the second after being hit by a pitch. Metro South County then jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a home run to left field. Hoagland recovered quickly, striking out a batter and forcing a groundout to end the inning

The Big Train, as they have done many times this season, answered back at the next opportunity. Infielder Casey Carpenter (UNC WIlmington) led off in the bottom of the second with a single into center field. 

Primary catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) followed up with a composed full-count walk, putting Carpenter in scoring position. Infielder Kieran Coleman (Northeastern Mississippi Community College) loaded the bases with a well-placed bunt, setting the table for catcher Jack Gagen. 

Gagen took advantage, hitting a sac fly into right field that brought Carpenter home, closing the Braves’ lead to one run. Infielder Cal Johnson (University of Maryland) then evened up the score, hitting a single to almost the same spot in right field as Gagen and bringing Gramesty home.

Infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) took a full-count walk to load the bases again, but the Big Train stranded the runners.. 

After Hoagland went three-up, three-down in the top of the third, the Bethesda offense returned to put more runs on the board. They did exactly that, as Carpenter launched a ball 391 feet for a solo home run, giving the Big Train the 3-2 lead.

The bats stayed hot for Bethesda, as Gramesty laid down a bunt and beat the throw to get on base. With two outs on the board, Gagen singled and Johnson delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing Gramesty home and extending the lead to 4-2.

Neither team was able to put a run on the board through the fourth or fifth innings, with Hoagland only allowing one walk in the fourth and going three-up, three-down in the top of the fifth inning.
ROCKVILLE, MD - JULY 14: Bethesda Big Train pitcher Charlie Hoagland (14) delivers a pitch toward home plate during the game against the Metro South County Braves at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

In the top of the sixth inning, the Big Train looked to one of the newest additions of the team, right-handed pitcher Landry Winter (East Central Community College). Hoagland ended his evening with 80 pitches for 51 strikes through five innings, including three strikeouts, three hits and two runs. 

In just his second appearance of the season, Winter started by giving up a double into right field. However, the Eupora, Mississippi native bounced back, forcing a groundout and tallying his third strikeout as a Big Train player before forcing a fly out to end the inning.

The Braves took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs on three hits to take the 5-4 lead. Winter stopped the scoring, stranding the runner on base by forcing a groundout and lineout to end the inning. 

Bethesda went backt o the bullpen in the top of the eighth inning, bringing out the righty Kyle Hopper (Jacksonville University). Winter’s night ended after two innings, totaling 37 pitches for 24 strikes, including four hits, three runs and two strikeouts. 

Hopper came flying out of the gate, striking out the first two batters he faced and forcing a routine groundout to first base to go three-up, three-down in his first inning of the evening.

Gagen got the Big Train going in the bottom of the eighth, walking on four pitches. With two outs, infielder Parker Corbin (University of Akron), who came in for Wright following an injury, doubled to left field, putting the leading run in scoring position.

Ponnett loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk, but the Big Train were unable to bring any of the runners home and remained down one run, eventually ending the game in a 5-4 loss for Bethesda.

The Big Train return to action Wednesday night with a game against the Gaithersburg Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website