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Big Train Hold Spot Atop Ripken Sr. League Standings with 7-4 Win Over Cropdusters
Cal Johnson by Matthew Lewyn
BETHESDA, Md. — Coming into Sunday night’s game between the Bethesda Big Train and Olney Cropdusters, only half a game separated the pair from the top of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League standings.
After the Cropdusters jumped out to an early three-run lead, it was a five-run bottom of the fourth inning for Bethesda that defined the game. Tacking on two more runs in the ninth led the Big Train to a 7-4 win over Olney in front of a sold out crowd at Shirley Povich Field for Jewish Baseball Heritage Night.
“It was two quality teams, and sometimes it's one pitch, one play that separates them,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We just hung in there and were trying to do the little things and push runs across.”
In the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) started the inning with a single to the left side of the Cropdusters’ infield. It was a spot on the field where the Big Train found success throughout the contest. After right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF) singled, left fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) singled through the left side.
With the bases loaded, third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) stayed patient in the batter’s box, drawing a four-pitch walk to bring in the Big Train’s first run of the game. Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) followed with a five-pitch walk.
Still with the bases loaded, second baseman Kieran Coleman (Northeast Mississippi CC) stepped into the batter’s box. In five games this season, Coleman owns a .222 batting average and .697 OPS. Yet, his biggest at-bat of the season came on Sunday.
Coleman smashed a ball down the third base line, just tucked in before hooking foul,giving the Starkville, Mississippi, native his second double of the season. The bases-clearing knock capped off the five-run frame and put the Big Train in front by two runs.
“My team was setting the table, and I was just trying to clean it up,” Coleman said. “I didn't really see where it landed. I just hit it and felt good. I just took off running.”
Right-handed pitcher Bryce Dolby (Cal State Bakersfield) started his seventh game of the season. Dolby has shown good stuff on the mound this season — producing a 3.60 ERA entering Sunday’s game — but struggled through the opening two innings.
He allowed three runs — two earned — while the Big Train could only produce one hit. However, Dolby started to find his rhythm in the third inning, putting the Cropdusters lineup down in order.
The Ashburn, Virginia, native produced five innings on the mound, allowing four hits and striking out two opposing batters. Dolby allowed only one extra-base hit over his 65 pitches.
Olney brought the game back to a one-run contest in the eighth inning before the red-hot Big Train lineup extended the home team’s lead once again.
Ponnett singled to start the frame before Gramesty doubled off the center field wall. On a night where Coleman was hot at the plate, the infielder got a chance to prove his value for Bethesda. His bloop shot to left field landed in front of several Cropdusters, allowing Ponnett to score.
Bethesda Big Train First Baseman Emilio Gonzalez (46) waits for a pitch as Olney Cropdusters catcher Landon Springmeyer (15) sets up behind the plate during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
With two runners on, center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) showed off a perfect approach at the plate. He drew a five-pitch walk while not swinging at any pitches. With the bases loaded and the Povich Field crowd energized, Olney couldn’t find the zone and walked shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) to force in another insurance run from Gramesty.
Even though right-handed pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) threw eight pitches Saturday night against the Alexandria Aces, he was back on the mound to close the game in the top of the ninth.
Smith showcased the reasoning behind his inclusion on the Ripken Sr. League All-Star team this season. He produced two easy outs to start the inning before walking his third batter. Even though he couldn’t get another 1-2-3 inning, Smith then produced a groundball to second base to end the game in the Big Train’s favor.
“He's as good as anybody in the league, and if not the best,” Colangelo said. “Kyzer is going to get better. He's going to compete. You know you're going to get everything you can get from him.”
Without right-hander Aiden Parker (George Mason) bridging the gap between Dolby and Smith, the Big Train might not have been in a winning position.
Entering the game in the sixth inning, he tossed three innings of one-run ball. Even though the run didn’t go down as earned, Parker showcased impressive stuff on the mound. The 6-foot-8 frame helped him blow away opposing batters, as showcased by his five strikeouts in a 62-pitch appearance.
“Aiden Parker, in particular, did what he needed to do several guys, all three innings, to get guys out to minimize the scoring,” Colangelo said. “It was a total team win, top to bottom.”
Bethesda Big Train outfielder Kieran Coleman (8) leaps to catch a fly ball during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
After correcting their defensive miscues on Saturday, the Big Train started the game with an erratic throw. While trying to pick off the runner at third, the catcher’s throw flew past Ponnett into the outfield.
The errant throw led to the Cropdusters plating one run, but quick thinking from Ponnett and Johnson led to the third out of the first inning, tagging the trailing baserunner at third base.
However, the Big Train’s defense showed flashes of brilliance at other points of the game.
Entering the top of the fourth and trailing by three runs, Gonzalez made a quick diving play to get the runner out at first. Second baseman Coleman pulled off an even better athletic feat, jumping to glove a line drive for the second out of the inning.
“[Kieran Coleman’s] a great player,” Colangelo said. ‘He just comes up big when we need him. It seems like only a week or so since he's been here. Great kid, works hard with a high IQ.”
Bethesda will have an off day Monday before returning to Povich Field at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The Big Train host the Metro South County Braves in a makeup game from July 5. Bethesda swept the season's previous meeting in a doubleheader on June 20, and the teams will jostle for playoff positioning as the final week of the season commences.
Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.