Big Train Score Early, Defeat Senators 5-1

BETHESDA, Md — The Bethesda Big Train (15-8) stayed at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday evening to host the Southern Maryland Senators (15-8) in a highly anticipated cross-divisional matchup on Minor League Night. Bethesda was proud to host Clawrence and Gus, mascots from the Chesapeake Baysox.

The Senators, who lead the South Division by 3.5 games, came into Tuesday evening’s game in good form, having won four of their last five games, including an 11-inning thriller over the DC Grays on Friday, June 26. 

The Big Train enjoyed equally strong momentum, tallying eight wins in their last nine games, including wins against the other three South Division teams, and found itself sitting just one game behind the top of the league. 

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hopper (Jacksonville University (FL)) earned his first start of the season, having previously made five appearances as a reliever, including a key save performance against the Metro South County Braves. 

Through his three innings pitched on Tuesday evening, Hopper recorded 50 pitches for 26 strikes, including a strikeout, only one hit and one run. The Orlando, Florida native continued his strong season, bringing his season total to only five runs allowed through 13.1 innings pitched.

The Big Train offense also enjoyed a positive first third of the evening, getting out of the gates and onto the board early with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Second baseman Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) got Bethesda going with a single into center field, and right fielder Zachary Malvasio (University of Central Florida) followed him on base with a double with two outs. 

Left fielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) stepped up and succeeded in bringing both home with a single into center, increasing his RBI total on the season to 13. After center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison University) got himself on base with a hit-by-pitch, Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) brought the third run home of the inning with a single into left field.

In the top of the fourth inning, righty reliever Joseph Chiarodo (University of Alabama) stepped onto the mound for his second appearance of the season. The Edwardsville, Illinois native found himself in a jam early, as three consecutive walks loaded the bases with two outs. He collected himself and found the final out, striking out the Senators batter swinging, maintaining the 3-1 lead for the Big Train.

The Bethesda offense did not let up, tacking on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning through a Gramesty walk, his team-high 20th of the season, and a double into left field by infielder Parker Corbin (University of Maryland). 

The Big Train continued to add runs, extending the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gramesty toughed out a hit-by-pitch and stole second base to put himself in scoring position.

To kick off the seventh inning, Bethesda called the right-handed reliever Aiden Parker from the bullpen for his debut, ending Chiarodo’s night with 54 pitches through three innings, including 29 strikes, four strikeouts, three hits and no runs.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia native enjoyed a dream first inning, recording his first strikeout on five pitches against his first batter faced. He then followed it up with two more strikeouts, ending the inning without giving up a hit.

He continued his momentum into the top of the eighth inning, where he struck out the first two Senators’ batters of the inning to bring his total to five strikeouts through two innings pitched with the Big Train. To end the inning, Parker forced a fly out to go three-up, three-down.

"I want to help the Big Train win," Parker said. "if I can deliver that with two innings here and there innings there, whatever we need, I can help out."

To close out the final inning, the Big Train looked to the right-handed Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic University), who leads Bethesda in innings pitched. Parker ended his night with 30 pitches pitched through two innings for 22 strikes, no hits, no walks and five strikeouts.

In his seventh appearance of the season, Smith started slow, giving up a single into center field. However, the Stonewall, Louisiana native got back into the inning, forcing a groundout to second base that the Big Train turned for a double play. He then punched the final out of the inning, striking the Senators’ batter to end the game with a 5-1 victory for Bethesda.

The Big Train return to action Wednesday afternoon with a game against the Olney Cropdusters. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and tickets are free. Big Train fans should arrive early, as the players will host a meet-and-greet before the game.