Big Train Pitching Shuts Out Grays 3-0 to Sweep Doubleheader

by Alex Rubinson

Big Train Celebrate Doubleheader Sweep by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - In the top of the third, the D.C. Grays had runners on second and third with only one out. The Big Train’s slim 1-0 lead was in danger. Trevor Orth (Roanoke College) was on the mound after not pitching in nearly a week. Ryan Grace dug into the batter’s box. Orth struck out the Grays’ cleanup hitter for a huge second out. The hurler froze Grace on a well-placed pitch on the inside edge. Orth escaped the threat, as he forced Luke Caucci to fly out to Alex Peltier (East Carolina University) in center.

“I just tried to get a feel for my mechanics again,” Orth said. “Keep competing, that’s the only thing.”

The Big Train blanked the Grays 3-0 to sweep Sunday’s doubleheader. It was the team’s first shutout of the season, as Orth and company only allowed three hits. The victory was the Big Train’s 20th of the year.

“[Orth] had an injury back in the spring, so we’re not trying to push him too much,” Manager Sal Colangelo said. “He was mixing it up well and using the defense to get outs.”

Trevor Orth by Mark Thalman

In the bottom of the first, the Big Train got all of the offense they needed. To no one’s surprise, Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) manufactured a run. The middle infielder walked before he took second on a wild pitch. Wright moved over to third when Brett Ott (Sacramento State) hit a fly ball to right field. With two outs, another pitch got away, and Wright sprinted home to give the Big Train the lead for good.

Throughout the contest, the Big Train’s outfield defense showed off the leather. In the top of the fourth, the Grays got their leadoff man on base. Lucas Marrero (Lynchburg College) got Jack McMullan to hit a shallow fly ball near the foul line. Right fielder Josh Skowronski (Winthrop University) raced in and made a headlong dive to secure the catch. Two innings later, it was Peltier’s turn. With Marrero still on the bump, he forced McMullan to hit another shallow fly ball. Peltier sprinted in to make his own diving catch, and robbed McMullan for the second time in the game.

“[I threw] my fastball in the zone and let my defense do the job,” Marrero said. “Defense was working really hard for me.”

Josh Skowronski (left) and Alex Peltier (right) by Mark Thalman

In the bottom of the third, the Big Train added two more insurance runs. The top of the order loaded the bases for Skowronski. The right fielder hit into a fielder’s choice groundout but got the job done, as Peltier touched the plate to score. Later in the frame, Logan Ponnett (University of North Carolina Charlotte) walked with the bases loaded to bring home another run for good measure.

It was a strong game for the Big Train pitching led by Orth and Marrero. The two pitchers combined for five hitless innings. Orth punched out four in his three innings of work. Marrero displayed excellent control, as he only allowed one base runner in his two-inning outing.

“[Marrero] used his two-seamer and ran it away against righties,” Colangelo said. “He threw first pitch strikes to just about every batter.”

Lucas Marrero by Mark Thalman

Marrero had not pitched since June 28th. In that appearance, the lefty gave up three runs in just two innings of work. Yesterday, he bounced back in a major way.

“[I threw] strikes and had confidence in myself,” Marrero explained. “It was more about being on the offensive side and letting them come to me.”

In the top of the seventh, a comfortable lead got dicey in a hurry. Owen Stewart (George Mason University) came in for the final two frames to close out the doubleheader. After he lost the team’s no-hitter in the sixth inning, the right-hander surrendered two more knocks in the final frame. The two hits brought the tying run to the dish. With two on and two out, Stewart retired Grace to bring out the brooms for the doubleheader sweep.

The Big Train tallied more runs than hits (three runs to two hits) and were out-hit by the Grays. Even with the lack of base hits, the offense did more than enough to get the win and back up the team’s stellar pitching performance.

The Big Train will remain at home when they host the Alexandria Aces later today at 7 p.m.