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BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
Summer Collegiate Baseball
Big Train Lose Early Lead in 18-10 Defeat to Senators
Team Photo by Matthew Lewyn
WALDORF, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train (6-5) made the trip to North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland, on Thursday afternoon to take on the Southern Maryland Senators (8-4) in a cross-divisional matchup.
The Big Train looked to bounce back from Wednesday night’s 9-3 defeat against the Olney Cropdusters, while the Senators aimed to maintain their position at the top of the South Division and extend their four-game win streak.
Bethesda came flying out of the gate in the first inning, as infielder Brennon Wright (South Alabama) walked and an error by the Senators put infielder Cal Johnson (University of Maryland) on base.
Making the most of the runner in scoring position, infielder Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic University) fired a single, bringing Wright home and setting the tone with an early 1-0 lead for the Big Train.
Outfielder Zachary Malvasio (University of Central Florida) looked to keep his hot streak going, as he hit home runs in his past two games, against the DC Grays and Cropdusters. Malvasio stayed hot and crushed a three-run home run to left field, stretching the Big Train lead to 4-0.
Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Bryce Dolby (39) pitches during the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at North Point High School on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Waldorf, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Starting right-handed pitcher Bryce Dolby (Cal State Bakersfield) started off Thursday night by giving up a single and a walk on his first two batters faced, but did not let that shake his confidence. Dolby followed up the hit by striking out the next batter and forcing consecutive groundouts to end the first inning with a momentum-building 4-0 lead for the Big Train.
Neither team could find a run in the second or third innings, but Bethesda came back alive in the top of the fourth inning. Outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) led off with a deep shot into left field for a double. To bring him home, outfielder Jackson Mirza (University of South Florida) drove a ball just along the first baseline for his first hit of the night, a double that scored Foscolo and extended the lead to 5-0 Bethesda.
The Big Train would not stop there, however, as infielder Logan Ponnett (University of North Carolina Charlotte) worked his way on base with a walk. Wright came up for his third at-bat of the night and hammered a ball deep into left field for a double, scoring Mirza. An error by the Senators allowed Wright to advance to third, and Ponnett found his way home to extend the lead to 7-0 for Bethesda.
The inning would not stop there for the Big Train, as Johnson would hit a sac fly, scoring Wright and putting the game at 8-0 in favor of Bethesda.
Dolby came back out onto the mound in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting the inning off with a walk, but forcing the 6-4-3 double play for two quick outs. The third out came just as quickly, as Dolby struck out the Senators’ batter to end the inning.
The Big Train kept it going in the top of the fifth inning, and Malvasio led off with a single into right field and stole second to put himself in scoring position.
Bethesda Big Train Third Baseman Casey Carpenter (28) stands in the batter’s box during the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at North Point High School on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Waldorf, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Infielder Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) delivered, firing a double over the head of the Senators’ shortstop, bringing Malvasio home for the 9-0 lead. Foscolo then took a hit-by-pitch, and catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) laid down a precise bunt, beating a tag-attempt at first and loading the bases for the Big Train.
Bethesda could not bring any of the runners home, maintaining the lead at 9-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.
Left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky University) relieved Dolby on the mound before the bottom of the fifth. Dolby ended his night on four innings pitched for 66 pitches and four strikeouts, giving up four hits for no runs.
The Senators clawed their way back into the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to close the lead to 9-6 for the Big Train.
Bethesda worked to rebuild their momentum in the top of the seventh inning, as Foscolo worked his way on base with a single into center field. Gramesty followed him up with a mashed ball down the left field line that stayed just fair for a triple, scoring Foscolo and bringing the lead to 10-6.
Gagen came out of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, finishing with two innings pitched for four strikeouts and four hits.
Right-handed pitcher Tyrese Johnson (UT Martin) relieved Gagen, but he struggled to find the zone. Inheriting a tough situation, right-hander Jordan Capuano (Youngstown St.) got the ball.
Capuano also struggled to settle into the game, giving up four hits and walking three batters, allowing the Senators to take a 15-10 lead.
To get out of the inning, the Big Train called on left-handed pitcher Terry Kaler (Gaston College). Kaler started hot, striking out the first batter he faced, but gave up a walk and a double to center field to allow three more runs to score, extending the Senators’ lead to 18-10.
Kaler recovered, forcing a flyout and striking out the final batter of the inning, but a 12-run inning for the Senators proved to be too much for the Big Train, who fell 18-10.
The Big Train will return to Shirley Povich Field on Friday for the Fifth Annual Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Classic. Be sure to arrive early, as the first 700 fans will receive a Heartbreaks t-shirt courtesy of Westfield Montgomery, and fans will have the opportunity to meet 13-season major leaguer Milt Thompson.
The Big Train is also excited to show a fireworks display at 9 p.m., courtesy of the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival. Friday night will also honor Community Hero Eddie Dove, a Legendary Ballplayer of the Scotland Eagles.
During Friday night’s game, all Big Train players will wear the 1954 Scotland Eagles jerseys to honor Montgomery’s Black Sandlots. Memorabilia from the Negro Leagues Museum will be on display, and author Jason Green will sign his book Too Precious to Lose.
The national anthem will be performed by the Taylor Family Sings, and first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.