Big Train Heading into Playoffs on Hot Streak: A Conversation with Manager Sal Colangelo

Big Train Manager Sal Colangelo (Esther Frances)

The Bethesda Big Train is getting hot at the right time, heading into the Cal Ripken Sr. League Playoffs on a four-game win streak and riding an 8-2 record in its last 10 games. With a 21-15 overall record, the Big Train clinched the three seed and will face the sixth-seeded Metro SOCO Braves on Saturday at Shirley Povich Field.

“I'm happy for the boys,” Big Train manager Sal Colangelo said. “We had a rough start to the first half of the season with injuries, and guys in a portal, and guys coming and going, and all those things that you run into. It's been challenging, but I think they're starting to hit their stride now, and I know they're excited to play.”

As the reigning champions of the Cal Ripken Sr. League, the Big Train is familiar with the path to victory. To reach its end goal of repeating as champions, the Big Train is relying on the principles it has followed all season.

“It’s just the three things we preach day in and day out: throw strikes, catch the ball, and execute the fundamentals,” Colangelo said. “I'm a believer in that, and if we continue to do that, we're as good as anybody in the league. We just got to do those things on a daily and consistent basis.”

One player who has exemplified consistency all season is center fielder Andrew Williamson (Central Florida). Williamson broke the league records in batting average with .462 and slugging percentage with .902. The previous batting average record was .441 held by Kobe Kato (BT 2019), and the slugging percentage record was Hunter Renfroe’s (BT 2011-12) .866. Williamson also now ranks third all-time in OBP with .546 and is tied for fourth in doubles with 16.

“He’s unbelievable,” Colangelo said. “Good things happen to great people, great players, great men, and he is that. He's a Christian. He’s a hard worker. He's very coachable. He does whatever you ask, and the sky is going to be a limit for him.”

As impressive as Williamson’s new accolades are, Colangelo acknowledged that Williamson’s current priority is winning a championship with his team. That’s Colangelo’s main focus as well, but he also celebrated a significant milestone of his own. With his win over the D.C. Grays Wednesday night in the last game of the regular season, Colangelo earned his 600th win as a summer collegiate baseball coach, the fifth highest among all active summer collegiate coaches.

“It just shows that I've been blessed to coach great kids, great players from great institutions, and I've enjoyed every last bit of it,” Colangelo said. “It's an honor. I'm humbled, but that's not why I do it. I do it to be able to help these kids in life and become men.”

Join the Big Train on Saturday at Shirley Povich Field as we face the Braves with first pitch at 7 p.m. Get tickets here!