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Big Train Hold Off Aces 6-5, Win Seventh-Straight Game
Bethesda Big Train Right Fielder Zachary Malvasio (37) runs toward home plate during the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Big Train looked to secure the seven-inning matchup against the Alexandria Aces on Thursday evening with a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh, calling upon primary outfielder Zachary Malvasio (University of Central Florida) for the save.
“You do all the preparation, you just gotta go out there and trust yourself, trust the defense,” Malvasio said.
Malvasio delivered, striking out the first batter he faced on three pitches to leave the Big Train only two outs away from the win. He worked the next batter to a full count, but walked him after the umpires ruled a hit-by-pitch. With the winning run at the plate, Malvasio came through, forcing consecutive groundouts to close the inning and bring home the win for the Big Train.
“You take pride in what you do each game,” Malvasio said. “Everyone does their job, and you feed off of each other’s energy. It’s contagious. That’s how you get the win.”
The Bethesda Big Train (17-8) made the journey over the Potomac River and into Virginia on Thursday evening to face off against the Alexandria Aces (12-14) in a cross-divisional, seven-inning matchup.
Bethesda and Alexandria faced off twice in the last week, with the Big Train taking the win in both meetings. Bethesda started the series with an 8-6 victory in Alexandria on Thursday, June 25, and followed it up with a comeback 6-4 win at Shirley Povich Field on Monday, June 29.
The Big Train came into Thursday evening’s matchup on their longest win streak of the season, dating back six games to their last loss, a seven-inning, 6-5 loss against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.
The Aces came into the game sitting second in the South Division and on a four-game away stretch that saw them lose to the Olney Cropdusters, the DC Grays and the Big Train, but also defeat the Gaithersburg Giants in a 9-7 matchup.
Both sides battled the heat in Alexandria as neither team could put a run on the board through the first 1.5 innings. The Aces got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning with two singles to center field and a walk to load the bases.
Starting left-handed pitcher Jackson Ketchum (University of Alabama) forced an out in the jam with a heads-up fielder’s choice play by infielder Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) at third base to get the runner out at home to put the Aces at two outs.
The Aces managed to bring the runners home on a three-RBI double down the right field line, giving them a 3-0 lead, but Carpenter stepped up again, fielding a groundout to get the next batter out and end the inning.
The Big Train did not stay behind for long as catcher Jack Gagen (Tusculum University) fired a single into center field to lead off the top of the third inning. Outfielder Aaron Ritenour (East Tennessee State) stepped up into the batter’s box next, and took a hit-by-pitch on the first pitch, moving Gagen into scoring position.
Infielder Kieran Coleman (Northeast Mississippi Community College) loaded the bases in his Big Train debut, remaining patient on a full count. The Aces’ pitcher brought Gagen home on another full-count walk, this time to infielder Parker Corbin (University of Maryland).
First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) came up next in the order, and brought Ritenour home on a sac fly to close the gap to 3-2 in favor of Alexandria. Bethesda then tied up the game on a deep double by outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) which came off of the left-field wall.
The lefty reliever Talin Gardini (St. Mary’s (CA)) checked into the game in the top of the third inning, ending Ketchum’s night. The West Point, Mississippi native notched his second appearance with the Big Train, throwing 17 strikes on 28 pitches, giving up three runs on two hits through two innings.
Gardini started hot, striking out the first two batters, but gave up a home run to give Alexandria the 4-3 lead. He then gave up a double down the left field line, but recovered, recording his third strikeout of the inning to put the Big Train back on offense.
Bethesda took advantage of the opportunity, as Gagen and Ritenour each walked with only one out on the board, putting the tying run in scoring position. The Aces tallied two strikeouts, leaving the Big Train with two runners on base and two outs.
Corbin stepped up and delivered a grass-cutting ball to first base that came off of the infielder’s glove for an error, but allowed Gagen to round third and score to tie the game back up at four runs.
The Big Train then returned to the lead through a Gonzalez single to almost the same spot at first base, scoring Ritenour and giving Bethesda a 5-4 lead. They did not stop there, scoring another run on a Corbin single to second base, extending the Big Train lead to 6-4.
Gardini came back onto the mound for the bottom of the fourth inning, giving up two walks and forcing a pop out through the first three batters. Another walk loaded the bases for the Aces, and led to a mound visit between Gagen and Gardini to strategize the final two outs.
The mound visit worked, as Gardini came out and struck out the next two batters, getting out of the jam and ending the inning without giving up a hit. Gardini stayed hot through the bottom of the fifth inning, going three-up, three-down, striking all three batters out to end his night with five consecutive strikeouts.
The drama continued throughout the evening, as the umpires called Gagen for batter’s interference on a Gramesty stolen base attempt in the top of the fifth inning, getting both Gagen and Gramesty out and ending the inning.
The Aces did not back down in the bottom of the sixth inning as lefty reliever Terry Kaler (Eastern Michigan) came into the game and closed the gap to one run on a sac fly. Gardini ended his night with eight strikeouts through three innings, giving up only one run.
The Big Train stay on the road on Friday evening for a seven-inning contest against the Olney Cropdusters. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.