Big Train run-rules Cropdusters 13-1 to wrap up 27-8 regular season

by Calvin Kaplan

Alex Peltier by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. — What a season it’s been for the Bethesda Big Train.

After a 13-1 walloping of the Olney Cropdusters, the Big Train secured a 27-8 regular season record, tying its sixth-best regular season winning percentage in team history. Four-hit games from center fielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina) and second baseman/shortstop Brennon Wright (South Alabama) headed the team’s offensive attack in a game that was initially paused in the third inning on June 16.

“I just kind of try to simplify everything at the plate,” Peltier said. “The past two weeks haven’t been the best. I’ve been frustrated with myself mentally, so I just try to flush all that and try to move past it.”

“He’s gonna be a big part of what East Carolina does and how they go about their business,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “Their goal is to get to the College World Series. Alex is going to be a high-round draft pick one day. Great player, but most importantly, great human being.”

Peltier said he’s been working hard on his swing over the past couple of weeks.

“One of my biggest problems was just kind of spinning off on everything and not being able to make good contact,” he said. “The past two weeks — and especially earlier today — I’ve just been working. Just staying up the middle, keeping my head on it, all that stuff just to get my swing right again, and today I think it really showed.”

The performance against Olney was fueled by stellar pitching as well. Left-hander Kide Adetuyi (Florida Atlantic), right-hander Michael Devenney (Tulane) and right-hander James Beasley (Princeton) all held the Cropdusters scoreless. Right-hander Cole Ketchum (Undecided) closed things out with two solid innings of one-run ball.

This season, the team also clinched its 19th Montgomery Cup in 24 years, finishing ahead of the other three Ripken League teams in Montgomery County for the first time since 2022.

So what has stood out about this campaign as a whole?

“I think the way they’ve come together so quickly,” Colangelo said. “You got guys from all over the country. Different styles of play, different abilities, different philosophies.”

The Big Train will look to keep things going in its opening playoff game on Thursday against an unknown opponent. That game will occur at home at 7 p.m.

Click HERE to read the recap of Tuesday's win!