The Official Site of the
BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
Summer Collegiate Baseball
Big Train Musters 3 Hits in 2-0 Shutout Loss to Senators in Game 2 of Semifinal Series
Big Train team huddle during the second game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Waldorf, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
WALDORF, Md. — For the first time in 39 games this season, the Bethesda Big Train was shut out.
The Big Train combined for three hits and three walks in Sunday’s contest, failing to capitalize on quality pitching performances from right-handers Jack Sams (Kentucky) and Kyle Hopper (Jacksonville). The pair only allowed two runs combined, but they were enough to down Bethesda 2-0 in Game 2 of the Cal Ripken Sr. League semifinals.
“Well, we swung the bat well, as you can tell,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “But you know, hats off to the pitcher … he made his pitches when he had to, and grounded into four or five double plays.”
The No. 2 seed in the playoffs gave Sams the start in Sunday’s game at Regency Furniture Field. Sams entered the contest with a 3.60 ERA over 25 innings, with four runs allowed against the D.C. Grays in his last start being a lowlight of the season.
However, Sams rebounded over five innings of work against the Senators. Both teams produced plenty of leadoff hits, but Sams worked out of those tricky situations. Over 78 pitches, he produced five strikeouts, only allowing two hits, two walks and one run.
The highlight from the flamethrower came in the fourth and fifth frames, as Sams compiled three straight punchouts. He then induced a flyout to right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF) to finish the inning and Sams’ time on the mound.
Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jack Sams (31) delivers a pitch during the second game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Waldorf, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
“Sams and Hopper did what they needed to do to help us win offensively,” Colangelo said. “We didn't get it done defensively. Didn't hurt us, but we still got to be better.”
By the sixth inning, Hopper entered the game for his ninth appearance of the season. The Orlando, Florida, native has produced an up-and-down season for the Big Train.
He’s produced a 4.43 ERA over 20.1 innings. In July, Hopper has increased his strikeout rate and lowered his WHIP, but his biggest accomplishment was walking only one hitter over seven innings.
Hopper started his appearance out with a 1-2-3 inning over 11 pitches. He also left runners at the corners to end the eighth frame by inducing a strikeout swinging.
However, the blip during his three innings of work was a home run to start the seventh inning. The momentum from the seventh grinded to a halt as the Senators launched a deep shot over the left field wall — celebrating with a pet fish after the fact — and gave Southern Maryland a decisive two-run advantage.
Bethesda couldn’t attack the Senators’ starting pitcher all afternoon. After eight innings, he allowed only three hits and produced two strikeouts. He also walked two batters — first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) and designated hitter Kieran Coleman (Clarion) — over 92 pitches.
After 8 shutout innings from the Senators starter, a pitching change felt like an opportunity to spark the Big Train offense.
The wishful thinking didn’t come to fruition after four hitters. Shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) was the only Bethesda hitter who reached base after a seven-pitch walk.
The Big Train created long at-bats but could not turn them into bases. Malvasio filed out to start the inning after seven pitches, third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) struck out after four pitches and Coleman closed the game with a strikeout on five pitches.
During Bethesda’s three-hit performance, no Big Train bat had multiple hits. Gonzalez, Coleman and left fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) were the only players with a knock, which all came between the third and fifth innings.
Bethesda Big Train Catcher T.J. Gramesty (1) stands in the batter's box during the second game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Waldorf, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Additionally, Gonzalez was the only one out of the three to produce an extra-base hit. He launched one to the right field wall in the fourth frame for a double. Haacke started the third with a single and Coleman had one of his own in the fifth, but in both such cases the Big Train had three straight outs to end the inning.
Bethesda was able to put two runners on base in the sixth frame due to a Gonzalez walk and Malvasio reaching first on an error from the Senators' third baseman. The hard hit bounced out of the defender's glove. However, Ponnett roped a ball right to the Senators shortstop in the next at-bat, which he then easily threw to second for the final out of the frame.
The Big Train also weren’t immune to defensive mistakes on Sunday.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Gonzalez mistimed a grounder to him at first base. The ball missed his glove and allowed the Senators to put a runner on base. Southern Maryland could’ve had two on, but catcher Jack Gagen (Norfolk State) threw the baserunner out trying to steal second.
Johnson also had a ground ball opportunity that he mishandled. Hopper picked up his teammates, producing a four-pitch strikeout to end the frame.
Now tied at one game-all, the series heads back to Shirley Povich Field on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. in a stadium where the Big Train are 15-6 this season.
Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.
“We’ll put this one behind us, learn from it, and be ready to go,” Colangelo said. “It’s a new day.”