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BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
Summer Collegiate Baseball
Big Train Return to Winning Ways, Shut Out Aces 9-0
Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jack Sams (31) pitches during the game against the Alexandria Aces at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
BETHESDA, Md — The Bethesda Big Train (21-9) looked to return to winning ways following their first defeat in 11 games with a game against the Alexandria Aces (13-16) at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 11.
With only nine days left until the end of the regular season, the Big Train looked to solidify its lead at the top of the standings in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League as it aims to win its four-straight championship, a streak dating back to the 2023 season.
Saturday evening’s game started hot for right-handed pitcher Jack Sams (University of Kentucky), who went three-up, three-down in the top of the first with two strikeouts.
The Lexington, Kentucky native continued that momentum into the top of the second inning, with a runner in scoring position after Aces batters reached first and second base on an error and a walk. Sams recovered, forcing a pop-out and two fly-outs to end the inning still scoreless.
The Bethesda offense followed suit, as outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) got the Big Train going with a well-placed bunt. He then advanced to second base on an infielder Kieran Coleman (Northeastern Mississippi Community College) groundout, putting a runner in scoring position.
Infielder Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) stepped up to bat with two outs, delivering a deep shot off the center field wall, bringing Foscolo home and giving the Big Train the early 1-0 lead.
Sams dealt with another runner in scoring position in the top of the third inning. After walking a batter on a full count, he then advanced to second base on a wild pitch and got to third base on a groundout.
Bethesda Big Train Infielder Cal Johnson (9) stands in the batter's box during the game against the Alexandria Aces at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
Again, Sams did not allow the runner to score, forcing a groundout to first base and recording the third out with his third strikeout of the night.
After neither team was able to score in the fourth inning, the Big Train looked to the bullpen to keep up the stout defense, calling on the left-hander Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky University) for his seventh appearance of the season.
Sams ended his night pitching 73 pitches through four innings for 42 strikes. He also tallied three strikeouts and three walks, while registering his first appearance without allowing a hit.
Gagen faced a similar situation to Sams in the top of the fifth inning. After a hit-by-pitch and the runner advanced to second on a passed ball, the Aces’ runner advanced to third thanks to a single by the batter, the first hit of the evening for the Aces.
Gagen, like Sams, fought back in the inning, working with catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) to tag out the runner stealing home, preventing the score. A full-count strikeout from Gagen punched the end of the inning, with the Big Train still ahead 1-0.
The Bethesda offense came back alive in the bottom of the fifth inning. Infielder Parker Corbin (Akron University) and outfielder Will Haacke (James Madison University) got themselves on base with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, respectively. Johnson then hit a groundout to third base, but allowed both runners to advance into scoring position.
Infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) stepped up and drove a run in, hitting a single to shortstop that allowed Corbin to come home and double the Big Train lead to 2-0. Haacke also rounded the bases to get home, but was thrown out at home plate to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Big Train made a call to the bullpen, this time for left-handed pitcher Terry Kaler (Eastern Michigan University). In his only inning of the evening, Gagen threw 17 pitches for 10 strikes, including one hit, one walk and one strikeout.
In his lone inning, Kaler tallied 17 pitches for seven strikes, for one hit, one walk and one strikeout.
The Big Train office stayed hot in the top of the sixth inning. Infielder Logan Ponnett (George Mason University) led off with a single into left field, and Foscolo reached first on an Aces error. Gramesty loaded the bases on a catcher’s interference call, with Coleman up to bat with zero outs.
The Starkville, Mississippi native singled, bringing Ponnett and Foscolo home and stretching the Bethesda lead to 4-0. The scoring continued for the Big Train, as Carpenter hit a sac fly to bring Gramesty home and bring the lead to 5-0.
Bethesda Big Train Center Fielder Ryan Foscolo (30) runs toward second base during the game against the Alexandria Aces at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
To kick off the seventh inning, the Big Train made another pitching change and called the right-hander Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic University). Smith got off to a strong start, going three-up, three-down with three different types of outs — a pop out, strikeout and a fly out.
The seventh inning continued to deliver for the Big Train, as the offense continued to tack on runs. Johnson led off and got on base on a catcher’s interference call, and advanced into scoring position thanks to a Wright walk. Gramesty came home for the 6-0 Big Train on a well-hit ball into left field by Ponnett.
The seventh and eighth runs of the game for Bethesda came on successive at-bats, as Gramesty singled into center field for an RBI and Coleman grounded out, allowing Ponnett to score for the 8-0 lead.
The ninth and final run of the evening nearly came on a Carpenter home run. The ball came off the top of the wall for a double, but it was still enough for Gramesty to come home and extend the lead beyond reach.
Following Carpenter’s double, lightning in the Bethesda area forced the game to go on delay. The umpires, coaches and athletic trainers decided to finalize the game in the bottom of the seventh inning for the safety of the players and fans, with the Big Train getting themselves back in the win column with the 9-0 result.
The Big Train stay at home on Sunday, July 12 for a 7 pm game against the Olney Cropdusters.
Tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.