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BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
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Big Train Lights Up the Scoreboard, Defeats Giants 18-8
Kieran Coleman during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
BETHESDA, Md. — As the race for the No. 1 seed in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League playoffs heats up in the final week of the regular season, the Bethesda Big Train remained at the top of the standings on Wednesday.
The high-octane offense of the Big Train lit up their North Division foes, as 10-runs in the middle innings provided enough winning support. Bethesda finished the game with 18 runs on the scoreboard to the Gaithersburg Giants’ eight.
“We had really good approaches and changed some things up where we weren't just swinging to swing,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “They went out there with great approaches, head held high out there. I saw a lot of tendencies, and just really squared the ball up.”
First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) recorded a team-high four RBIs in the contest and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF), third baseman Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington), shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) and center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) all contributed with two-RBI performances.
Bethesda got on the scoreboard early, as the Big Train attacked the Giants at the plate.
Second baseman Kieran Coleman (Clarion) was hit by a pitch on the third pitch of the game, but brought a leadoff runner on for Bethesda. Johnson then singled to left field, and Gonzalez followed with the same outcome, loading the bases.
Malvasio strolled into the batter’s box ready to do damage. Malvasio has provided the Big Train with many clutch hits, but this time he brought Coleman home with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Carpenter followed two at-bats later with a double to the left field wall to clear the remaining two baserunners. On-base machine and catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) then singled to left field, bringing Carpenter home from third and giving Bethesda a four-run advantage.
Bradley Gagen during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky) started his second game of the season, pitching four innings.
After getting out of the first inning having faced the minimum, Gagen got into a tricky spot in the second with the bases loaded. The Giants tried to catch the Big Train napping by forcing a pickle situation between first and second. Bethesda gave up one run to get the second out of the inning, and Gagen followed by inducing a groundout to end the frame.
Gagen worked his way out of trouble multiple times, but used his breaking ball to induce whiffs. He struck out four while giving up six hits and five earned runs on 66 pitches.
Even after Gaithersburg reduced its deficit to one run, the Big Train responded with a six-run bottom of the fifth inning. Haacke, Coleman and Johnson all walked in runs. Gonzalez then launched a single into the gap in right field for two RBIs before Johnson scored a couple of pitches later by a passed ball.
“You want to get the train rolling,” Colangelo said. “You want to be moving int the right direction on all facts of the before playoffs.”
The Big Train’s offense kept on humming along into the sixth inning.
Catcher Jack Gagen (Norfolk State) doubled into left field as two Giants collided going after the ball. Gaithersburg’s defensive woes started an at-bat earlier, as Carpenter hit a triple when the Giants’ center fielder mistimed a dive on the line drive. Gagen’s hit brought Carpenter home. Gagen then plated Bethesda’s next run by a sacrifice fly to right field.
Gonzalez reached first on an error to let designated hitter Parker Corbin (Akron) score. Malvasio finished the scoring in the half-inning with a double to right center, which scored Haacke from third base.
With five Gaithersburg hitters being lefties, the Big Train turned to another left-hander in the top of the fifth inning. Alan Soler (UCF) came in for relief for the third time season, producing one inning pitched. Soler allowed one hit and two runs — none earned — but produced a strikeout looking to end the fifth.
Bethesda then turned to right-handed pitcher Nathan Wines (West Chester) after back-to-back lefties to open the game. Wines provided two innings of one-hit relief, allowing no runs and striking out two.
“They ate up innings, but also kept it a one-run game for us to be in it on the bump,” Colangelo said. “We kept fighting at the plate and put up some runs.”
Earlier in the game, the Big Train maintained the four-run lead in the second inning, despite giving up two runs. Haacke provided another leadoff knock for Bethesda before stealing second and third. Johnson followed with a walk before stealing second, putting two runners in scoring position for Gonzalez.
The 6-foot-4 lefty bat then launched a line drive into center field. Gonzalez has produced both of his home runs this season in July. However, the ball ricocheted off the center field wall, leading to Johnson and Haacke scoring.
Casey Carpenter during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Two more runs were tacked on in the third inning. Haacke reached on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop. The play got Corbin out at second base, but a late throw allowed Haacke to stay safe and Carpenter to score. Haacke moved to second and then tried to steal third. The throw from the Giants’ catcher bounced off his shoe, allowing Haacke to score as well.
Right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) finished the final two innings of the game. Capuano allowed a one-hit in the top of the eighth but finished his outing with 28 pitches. He also struck out three hitters.
Bethesda stays at home Thursday night with a matchup against the D.C. Grays. Bethesda has won the two previous meetings against the Grays this season. With the Olney Cropdusters winning Wednesday and a game back from Bethesda, Friday’s game at First Responder Field sets up a showdown that may decide the first seed in the playoffs.
Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.
“We still got to clean it up defensively a little bit, but you want to get everything going with the three phases that we preach all the time to them,” Colangelo said. “So anytime you have rhythm, and you're hot going to the tournament is always a good thing. You don't want to be peaking early.”