Big Train send Giants packing in blowout win

In its series opener, the Bethesda Big Train outscored the Gaithersburg Giants 20-1 to start the season 2-0.

The Big Train came out dominant, scoring 15 runs in the first three innings, including an eight-run bottom of the second on five hits and two errors from the Giants. A three-run home run from Justin Wylie (Arizona) added to the Big Train’s lead in the third inning, a lead that continued to grow as another run was added in the bottom of the fifth, putting Bethesda up 16-0.

The Giants scored their only run in the top of the seventh, after Barrett Smith (Maryland) made it home on a stolen base and a groundout. But, the Big Train responded quickly, tacking on two runs in the bottom of the inning after an error from the Giants’ second baseman and a walk put two runners on with one out.

A two-out single from Tyler Reis (Waynesburg) scored both runners, putting Bethesda ahead 18-1. “[The players] are definitely seeing the ball well,” said head coach Sal Colangelo. “I think their approaches at the plate, they had a clue, they had an idea of what was going on.” “It was clutch,” said starting pitcher Tuck Tucker (Maryland) regarding the run support. “It was really easy because I knew no matter what I did, it’s kind of hard to mess that up.”

Two final runs came for the Big Train in the bottom of the eighth, sealing the victory at 20-1. Bethesda starting pitcher Tuck Tucker (Maryland) put up a solid four innings of work, allowing only one hit and two walks, while recording two strikeouts. “Any time you put up a lot of runs in an inning, you need to make sure you throw, you stay loose, you stay focused,” said Colangelo. “He came right back and did a nice job, three-four innings, kept us in the game.”

Following him, relievers Gavin Hinchcliffe (Virginia Tech), Ryan Metz (Virginia Tech), Scott Parker (San Francisco) and Elliot Zoellner (Maryland) combined for four scoreless innings, giving up a run and two hits. “Our bullpen did a great job coming in and closing the door,” said Wylie. The Big Train continue their season at 7 p.m. tomorrow, playing the Loudon River Dogs at Rockridge High School.