Big Train players lead North Division to victory in All-Star game

by Rekha Leonard

Big Train All-Stars (Bruce Adams)

OLNEY, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train sent 10 players to the Cal Ripken Sr. League All-Star game Tuesday night to represent the North Division, a team made up of players from the four Montgomery County based teams. All 10 saw game action and led the North Division to a 5-3 victory over the South Division at First Responder's Field by ServPro.

“Big Train played a key role in this,” said Bob O’Conor, Big Train assistant coach and the North Division’s manager. “We had the most players here. … I just enjoyed sharing this time with the Big Train players.”

The Big Train’s Kenan Bowman (East Carolina) was the star of the game, earning the Most Outstanding Player honor after his two-run homer in the fifth inning. Bowman was the starting second baseman, and he secured the game for the North with his massive home run just inside the left-field pole.

“I did know it was going out, I just didn't know if it was fair or foul, so I just kinda sat there for a second,” Bowman said. “Luckily it hooked fair just a little bit. I put a good swing on it, got out in front. Hopefully I could help the team out.”

Bowman’s home run proved to be the difference, as the North eventually won by two. Center fielder Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) also provided a spark with his bat, hitting a double in the fourth inning.

On the other side of the ball, all four Big Train pitchers selected to the All-Star game made an appearance. Kevin Scully (James Madison) earned the start on the mound for the North and recorded two strikeouts.

Jonathan Stevens (Alabama) pitched a scoreless third inning, throwing a strikeout and inducing a double play with a line out and subsequent out at first to face the minimum batters. Max Martzolf (Florida Atlantic) took the mound for the fifth inning, setting down the side in order with one strikeout.

Aden Ritenour (Shepherd), who was a late addition to the roster, proved his All-Star status with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. He ended the inning with a bang, striking out the final batter.

“I thought they all did great,” O’Conor said. “I was really happy for Ritenour to get in there and pitch well, but all of them really. Scully, I'm not surprised by that. Max and Jonathan too. I think they all did great, and they’re really quality people and really quality players.”

O’Conor threw out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of his last season with the Big Train before his retirement. After he coached the North Division to victory, he reflected on what the game meant to him.

“It's an incredible honor,” O’Conor said. “I appreciate Sal giving me this opportunity. It's kind of bittersweet. I still love the game, but it's just time for me to step away and let somebody else step up and coach. It's been an awesome experience. It's a really special night, so I was really thankful and blessed to be able to do this tonight.”

Coach Bob O'Conor throwing the first pitch (Bruce Adams)

The Big Train is back to regular season action Thursday, facing the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on the road. First pitch is at 7 p.m.

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