Big Train falls 9-7 in doubleheader nightcap

by Calvin Kaplan

Connor Lehman by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Despite leading for the majority of the contest, the Bethesda Big Train dropped Saturday’s home nightcap to the Alexandria Aces, losing 9-7 to split the day’s seven-inning doubleheader.

In Game 2, the Big Train was led by left-hander Connor Lehman (Alabama), who threw five solid innings of two-hit, two-run ball from the bump. Shortstop John Martinez (Florida Atlantic) and center fielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina) added two hits on offense, and designated hitter Parker Corbin (Maryland) tacked on a base knock and three walks.

The Aces were fueled by a seven-run sixth inning, vaulting them from a 6-2 deficit to a 9-6 lead.

Lehman started the first off strong with a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the first, the Big Train tacked on three runs behind a double from right fielder Peyton Steele (Alabama) and a ground ball from third baseman Matt Westley (Undecided).

Lehman continued his stellar work in the second, retiring the next three batters in order. The Big Train went scoreless in the latter half of the frame, and it started off the third inning with an impressive sliding stop from Martinez to avoid a hit.

The Aces brought home a run in the third, but Lehman bounced back quickly with a strikeout to halt the frame. From there, the Big Train went scoreless in the bottom of the third, and the Aces tacked on another run in the top of the fourth, cutting their deficit to 3-2.

Despite a two-out triple from Martinez, the score remained the same after four complete innings. Lehman took care of business with a 1-2-3 fifth that included a strikeout, and soon after, Corbin laced a single to right field to drive in a pair of runs. After an infield single from Peltier, the Big Train held a 6-2 advantage.

Right-hander Jordan Capuano (Frederick CC) came on to pitch the top of the sixth, and the Aces scored a run before left-hander Lucas Marrero (Lynchburg) came on in relief. Alexandria tacked on six more runs — including a grand slam — before the inning finally ended, taking a sudden 9-6 lead.

Marrero bounced back nicely in the seventh, firing a pair of strikeouts before inducing a groundout to end the inning. With one last chance in the bottom of the seventh, Corbin drew a leadoff walk, and Peltier drove him in with a line-drive double to right. However, the team ultimately fell just short, losing 9-7.

Next up, the Big Train will have another home doubleheader today against the Southern Maryland Senators. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.