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BETHESDA BIG TRAIN
Summer Collegiate Baseball
Big Train’s 10 hits Not Enough to Overcome Cropdusters, Fall 13-7
Photo by Matthew Lewyn
BETHESDA, Md. — After taking two pitches for balls, designated hitter Cal Johnson (Maryland) got hold of the third pitch of the at-bat. He slugged a 376-foot home run over the right field wall. The two-run shot was the first home run for the Big Train during the 2026 season.
“It felt good,” Johnson said. “It was two outs, I was sitting fastball and I got ahold of it.”
His home run came in the top of the fourth inning with two outs. The Big Train started Wednesday’s game with six hits in the first four frames to take a 5-2 lead.
In total, the Big Train finished Wednesday’s contest with 10 hits, driving in seven runs in the process. However, Bethesda could not take home the win, as the Olney Cropdusters plated 13 runs on 13 hits to hand the Big Train their first loss of the season.
TJ Gramesty by Matthew Lewyn
“It's a tough loss,” second baseman Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) said. “A lot of things happen in the game, but we just will move forward and then move to tomorrow.”
Bagnersie finished the game 2-for-5 from the plate, driving in 2 RBIs. He and first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) both had two hits on Wednesday. Eight batters for Bethesda finished the game with at least one hit.
The Big Train’s offense started early in the first inning. Bagnerise singled to left field before stealing second base. After moving to third base, he was brought home with a double by shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic).
Continuing his hot Opening Night performance, Gonzalez then doubled to score Machado and gave Bethesda a 2-0 lead.
Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) finished the night 1-for-2 from the plate, producing two walks in his other two plate appearances. The Boca Raton, Florida, native also flashed arm strength, throwing out two would-be base stealers.
Right-handed pitcher Bryce Dolby (Louisiana Tech) started the game on the mound for the Big Train. Dolby struck out two batters in his 3.0 innings of work, allowing two runs. Right-handed pitcher Kenneth Nickerson (Trinity College) came in for two innings of relief, not giving up a hit or a run in the process.
Bethesda has been short-staffed in the bullpen to start this season. The Big Train finished Wednesday night using four pitchers throughout the contest. Right-handed pitchers Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) and Nathan Wines (East Carolina) also made appearances on the mound for the Big Train.
Jordan Capuano by Matthew Lewyn
Following the 2-1 lead, the Big Train tacked on one run in the third inning. Johnson and Brennon Wright (South Alabama) opened the frame with walks. Gonzalez singled to load the bases before Logan Ponnett (George Mason) brought home Johnson with a sacrifice fly to center field.
In the sixth inning, center fielder Jackson Mizra (South Florida) started the frame with a double. Gramesty followed behind with a walk before right fielder Will Haacke singled to load the bases for Bethesda. Bagnerise added on to the Big Train’s lead with a two-run single to extend their lead to 7-2.
“Keep fighting back,” Bagnersie said. “We had the lead, we just needed to keep extending the lead. No lead is big enough in Summer Ball, so just keep extending the lead.”
The Big Train did just that. However, a five-run lead was not enough.
Olney’s bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth. The Cropdusters finished the inning with five hits and eight runs. The game turned upside down, as Olney took a 10-7 lead with three innings of play.
Bethesda came back from down six runs against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts Tuesday. Now was the time for the Big Train magic to occur for the second time in the same number of days.
But with three chances to get the board, Bethesda squandered opportunities to get the Big Train back on track. The offense could not muster up a hit in the final three innings, going down 1-2-3 in each inning.
Emilio Gonzalez by Matthew Lewyn
“We could have definitely capitalized more,” Johnson said. “We just have to look forward. Look past this game. We’ll be fine. We got another game tomorrow.”
Fireworks did fly with the Big Train up to bat in the top of the eighth inning. Mirza hit a grounder at the Cropdusters’ third baseman, leading to a close play at first base. After being called out, Mirza was then ejected from the contest. Head Coach Sal Colangelo came out for an explanation that led to his subsequent ejection.
Bethesda (1-1) will stay on the road Thursday against the Gaithersburg Giants at Criswell Automotive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Bethesda will be back in action at Shirley Povich Field Friday against the Southern Maryland Senators. Tickets can be found on the Big Train’s website.