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BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
Summer Collegiate Baseball
Big Train Prepares For Opening Night with Final Exhibition Win Against Gaithersburg Giants
Team Huddle by Matthew Lewyn
BETHESDA, Md. — As Opening Night draws closer for the Bethesda Big Train, the team turned to its final exhibition game as a tune-up for the 2026 regular season. Although the visiting Giants’ pitchers filled in for the Big Train, Bethesda put forth a 9-hit effort to top the Gaithersburg Giants 6-5.
“We did a good job,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We just want to be consistent, one through nine. Not pick up our energies when we want to swing and play, and we don't play down the competition.”
With only seven pitchers reported to the team as of Sunday’s game, the Big Train helped to prepare their fielders without having to tire out arms before the start of league play. All seven pitchers saw action on the mound in the first two exhibition games.
Daniel Machado by Matthew Lewyn
A trio of left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky), left-hander Terry Kaler (Gaston) and right-hander Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) combined for five innings in Bethesda's first exhibition bout. Right-handed pitchers Bryce Dolby (Louisiana Tech), Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State), Austin Monahan (State College of Florida) and Nathan Wines (East Carolina) then combined for nine innings, three hits and 10 strikeouts Saturday.
The pitching staff will be crucial to the Big Train's early-season potential. With NCAA Regional play taking place Friday through Sunday, Bethesda has been without crucial arms.
Left-handed pitcher Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina) made 20 appearances for the Pirates this season, with two coming in the Chapel Hill Regional this weekend. Right-hander Jake Nobles (St. Mary’s) and southpaw Talin Gardini (St. Mary’s) had to finish out their obligations with the Gaels, which included eliminating No. 1-seeded UCLA Sunday.
Left-handed pitcher Alan Soler (Central Florida) and righty Jack Sams (Kentucky) will join the roster this upcoming week after their team’s elimination in the tournament. Although the Alabama duo of right-hander Joe Chicardo and Jackson Ketcum have more baseball to play, as the Crimson Tide advanced to the Super Regionals.
Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo and pitching coach Craig Lopez used Sunday night’s game to give the team’s pitchers a break before heading into regular season matchups.
Offensively, with no catcher behind the dish, Bethesda’s lineup employed two designed hitters and an extra hitter. The 10-man batting order finished the contest combining for nine hits and six runs.
In back-to-back games, the Big Train has opened the game swinging.
Bethesda scored six runs in the first two innings Saturday night and carried the early-game momentum into Sunday, bringing home three runs in the first inning. Second baseman Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) opened the game with a walk before a single from designated hitter Logan Ponnett (George Mason) brought him home.
Designated hitter Cal Johnson (Maryland) singled out of the two-hole and then went first-to-third on the Ponnett single. Johnson crossed home plate after a passed ball, which moved Ponnett to third. After stealing third base, a sacrifice fly from first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) scored Ponnett.
Gaithersburg responded with a four-run second inning. Now playing from behind, Bagnerise drew another walk in the third inning. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native stole second base and then took off running towards third a couple of pitches later. An errant throw from the Giants catcher skyed past the third baseman to allow Bagnerise to score and tie the game at 4.
Julius Bagnerise by Matthew Lewyn
“Being the leadoff, I’m trying to do whatever I can to get on base,” Bagnerise said. “I’m really like a fast runner, so I can get on base, steal bases, be havoc, that's really just what I'm trying to do.”
Gaithersburg regained the lead in the fourth inning with one run. However, Bethesda tied the game in the fifth inning.
After a single and a stolen base, center fielder Jackson Mirza (South Florida) awaited the fortune of TJ Gramesty’s (Florida Atlantic) hit to left-center field. Gramesty’s deep fly landed beyond the Giants’ left fielder, allowing Mirza to score, tying the game at 5.
Bagnerise’s at-bat played another important role for the Big Train in the seventh inning. Gramesty started the frame with a hit-by-pitch, then third baseman Parker Corbin (Maryland) made it first and third with a single. Bagnerise traded an out for a run, grounding into a fielder’s choice that scored Corbin and secured the lead.
“They're not gonna quit,” Colangelo said. “We won't let them quit. I said, playing the first pitch to the last pitch, not waiting until the end to say turn it up.”
Parker Corbin by Matthew Lewyn
Opening Night is June 2, with the Big Train facing the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. Bethesda took the season series last year after winning four out of the five matchups. Silver Spring-Takoma finished the 2025 regular season with a 14-19 record. Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.
“I mean Sal wants to win,” Ponnett said. “It’s still about having fun. Sal wants everyone to have fun, so if everyone's having fun and having a good time, it usually leads to winning.