Big Train Fall To Undefeated DC

It was another tough night for the Bethesda Big Train (2-2) as they dropped their second consecutive ballgame after losing to the DC Grays, 4-3, Saturday night at Shirley Povich Field.

The game's opening innings saw a pitchers duel between Bethesda’s Jacob McCarvel (California Baptist) and DC’s Reid McLaughlin (BYU). McCarvel tossed four scoreless innings for the Big Train striking out six batters without allowing a walk.

"He's a veteran he's been here." Associate head coach Galvin Morris said of McCarvel. "He knows how to pitch as a returning guy."

In the top of the fifth, the Grays got to the Big Train bullpen as they put together a four-run fifth inning. Josh Cowden (BYU) drove in the game's first run on a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, Bryan Call (BYU) ripped a single to score a second DC run, and Justin Johnson (Lafayette Col) drove in two more with a single of his own putting DC on top 4-0.

Bethesda wouldn't go down without a fight. In the bottom half of the fifth, Gio Diaz (St. Mary's CA) drove in Ryan Daugherty (St. Mary's CA) to cut the DC lead to 4-1. In the bottom of the seventh, the Big Train continued to battle back. Kobe Kato (Arizona), who went 3-4 on the night, ripped an RBI single to score Tyler Villaroman (San Francisco), and an error on a ground ball from Jacob Southern (Jacksonville) plated Diaz as the Train pulled within one.

With the Big Train fighting back at the plate, Chase Lee (Alabama) kept the DC bats silent. The Alabama hurler tossed 3.2 innings of hitless, scoreless ball out of the bullpen, as he did not allow a single runner to reach base.

"Chase is legit". Coach Morris said postgame. "He gives us a chance - he gave us a chance tonight. Every time we roll out there we're comfortable."

Unfortunately, the comeback was not meant to be, as Jarren Norman (Virginia State), and Austin Deming (BYU) shut the door in the eighth and ninth for the Grays as they took down the Big Train by a score of 4-3.

Despite losing two straight early in the season coach Morris isn't worried. "We'll be alright; we have goals a little bigger than losing here and there. We'll get it done."

The Big Train will be back in action tomorrow evening as they travel to Alexandria to take on an Aces team they no-hit on June 6. First pitch in Alexandria is set for 6:30 p.m.