Big Train Run Rules Grays, 16-4, in Final Regular Season Game

by Rekha Leonard

Andrew Williamson (Esther Frances)


BOXSCORE


ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train finished the regular season strong with a run-rule, 16-4 victory over the D.C. Grays on Wednesday. The Big Train consistently got runners on base, capitalizing on free bases and well-timed hits to balloon its lead.


“They played hard,” manager Sal Colangelo said. “They were locked in. They were ready to go. … They're gonna give you a good effort any given night, give your team the chance to win.”


Center fielder Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) got the ball rolling with a double in the first inning. He scored the first run of the game on his own volition, stealing third and racing home on a wild pitch. 


Williamson got on base in all six of his at bats with three hits and three walks. His impressive performance against the Grays capped off a stellar regular season, as he officially set new Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League records with a .462 batting average and .908 slugging percentage. On Wednesday, he not only contributed with his bat, he used his speed, scoring three runs all on wild pitches or passed balls.


“That’s just the type of player he is,” Colangelo said. “It’s a first ball, he likes to get after it. He does the little things, he knows how to run the bases, he’s smart, he puts pressure on the other team.”


With Williamson leading the way, the Big Train never let up the pressure. Catcher Luke Vaughn (Alabama) joined in on the action with an RBI double in the second inning, and right fielder Josh Skowronski (Winthrop) kept the power coming with a two-run homer high and deep to right.


Josh Skowronski (Esther Frances)


The Big Train bats cooled off as the game progressed, but the runs did anything but. In the fourth inning, the Big Train scored five runs on zero hits. Three walks and two hit-by-pitches got plenty of runners on base, and aggressive base running on wild pitches and passed balls — along with some well-placed groundouts and fly outs — were more than enough to create a big offensive inning.


“When you’re aggressive, you give yourself a good chance to win,” Vaughn said. “We’d rather lose being aggressive than lose being passive.”


The Big Train won by being aggressive on Wednesday, and the offense enjoyed the fruits of its labor with a walk off in the eighth inning. Seven walks, including three RBI walks, and a two-RBI single from second baseman Justin Nadeau (Florida) sealed the run-rule victory for the Big Train.


The Big Train begins the playoffs Saturday at Shirley Povich Field against the Metro SOCO Braves. First pitch is at 7 p.m. Get your tickets here!



Notes: After a 45 minute rain delay, Big Train fans packed Shirley Povich Field for a game that lasted three hours and 10 minutes.… The recorded attendance was 804…. It was Jewish Baseball Heritage Night, and we welcomed special guests Shlomo Lipetz and Assaf Lowengart, members of Israel’s Olympic team that played a Friendship Game exhibition against the Big Train at Povich Field on July 18, 2021.… Documentary filmmaker Aviva Kempner was honored with an individual Big Train Community Hero Award.… The night’s Community Heroes organizations were Jewish Council for the Aging and Manna Food Center.… The night’s sponsors were Catalyst Hot Dogs and oySongs. With the support of Catalyst Hot Dogs and Roseda Beef and generous donations and pledges from Big Train fans, our annual National Hot Dog Day event raised funds for the Manna Food Center’s good work helping to feed our neighbors in need…. Kate Finley celebrated her birthday with a pre-game picnic…. Maryland Delegates Marc Korman and Jared Solomon were in the house.