Big Train Pull Away from Aces 7-3 in Game One Victory

by Alex Rubinson

John Martinez and Brennon Wright by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Big Train took game one of their doubleheader 7-3 against the Alexandria Aces. Parker Corbin (University of Maryland) gave the Big Train the lead for good with his second home run of the year. Catcher Dylan Murphy (Florida Atlantic University) had a strong afternoon with three hits and two RBIs.

The first two Big Train reached base safely to open the game thanks to back-to-back singles by Alex Peltier (East Carolina University) and Brennon Wright (South Alabama). Peltier tried to steal third but was gunned down by Aces catcher Ernie Echevarria to halt the Big Train’s early rally. Michael Devenney (Tulane University) got the game one start for the Big Train. He worked around a one out walk and a stolen base to put up an early zero.

The Big Train had a quiet top of the second, as Alexandria pitcher Mason Christoper showed his ace-caliber stuff early, as he struck out Logan Ponnett (University of North Carolina Charlotte) and retired the side in order.

After Devenney worked around a first inning free pass, the Aces took advantage when Echevarria drew a walk in the second frame. With two outs, Trip Capers belted an RBI double over the head of Peltier in center. Devenney ended the inning with a strikeout to keep the deficit at 1-0.

The Big Train threatened in the third when Murphy drew a walk and Peltier laid down a perfect bunt single down the third base line. After Wright struck out, Murphy was caught in-between second and third. Echevarria fired to catch the catcher, but the throw got away, and Murphy came all the way around to score and tie the game at one apiece. Later in the frame, Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic University) cranked a single to center to give the Big Train the lead.

“[Murphy] is a bulldog,” Sal Colangelo said.

Dylan Murphy by Mark Thalman

After Devenney retired the first two Aces in the third, Alexandria registered two consecutive singles and advanced to second and third via a wild pitch to put the right-handed hurler in a jam. Gavin Degnan ripped one to Corbin, who kept it in front of him, but the Aces tied it up. Later in the inning, the Aces loaded the bases for Diego Pena. Devenney caught Pena looking to prevent any further damage and keep the contest knotted up.

“[Devenney] pounded the zone,” Colangelo said. “He did an unbelievable job, had a great start, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

With one out in the fourth, Corbin launched a ball to deep right field for his second home run of the season. Corbin and Ponnett are the only two members of the Big Train who have a homer. Murphy followed it up with a sharply hit ball down the third base line for a double. The hit knocked Chirstopher out of the game. After Murphy advanced 90 feet via a wild pitch, Peltier hit a sacrifice fly to give the Big Train an insurance run.

"[Corbin] has swung the bat well all year,” Colangelo said. “He just hasn’t had a lot to show for it. He has hit it hard just about every time up.”

Parker Corbin by Mark Thalman

Cole Ketchum (University of Mississippi) relieved Devenney in the fourth. The righty worked free and easy. He struck out Capers to start his day and induced two weak grounders around a walk to put up a shutout inning after the Big Train gained their first lead of the afternoon.

The Big Train couldn’t muster a baserunner in the fifth and were sent down in order. Ketchum appeared to get through the fifth unscathed, but a one-out error by Corbin kept the inning alive. Echevarria made the Big Train pay, as he blooped a base hit to right field to bring the Aces within a run. The Aces got the tying run into scoring position and the go-ahead run on base. Ketchum dug deep and struck out Capers to retain the lead.

Josh Skowronski (Winthrop University) slammed one the other way to lead off the sixth inning with a double. The lefty nearly missed his first long ball of the summer. After Corbin advanced Skowronski to third with a groundout to second, Murphy blasted one down the third base line for a run-scoring triple to put the Big Train back up by two.

Josh Skowronski by Mark Thalman

In the bottom of the six, the Aces had a runner on first and nobody out. Cooper Hums hit one sharply down the first base line. Gonzalez fell to his knees to snag the well-hit ball. The first baseman stepped on the bag and threw to second where John Martinez (Florida Atlantic University) applied the tag for the key double play. After a walk and a hit by pitch, Colangelo brought in Owen Stewart (George Mason University) to put out the fire. Stewart froze Gavin Miller on a full count pitch on the inside black to keep the Big Train’s 5-3 lead intact.

In the seven-inning game, Gonzalez and Peyton Steele (University of Alabama) opened up the final frame with consecutive walks, but the FAU product was picked off at second by Echevarria. Steele swiped second to replace the runner in scoring position and came home to score on the RBI hit by Skowronski. Murphy recorded his third knock of the game to drive in Skowronski and give the Big Train a four-run cushion.

Stewart shut the door in the seventh to secure game one of Saturday's twin bill.

The Big Train will play their second doubleheader in as many days when they host the Southern Maryland Senators today. Game one will be the rest of a suspended game and pick up in the third inning at 4 p.m.