Big Train Shut Out Giants in 10-0 Victory

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train (12-8) played its third consecutive road game Friday night, taking on the Gaithersburg Giants (9-12) in a matchup that had been evenly matched so far this season. 

In their four previous head-to-head games, the Big Train and Giants have split the series 2-2, with the most recent faceoff ending in a walk-off home run for infielder Cal Johnson (University of Maryland).

The Big Train came into Friday night’s game having won five of their last six, with the sole loss coming away from Shirley Povich Field against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. The Giants, on the other hand, had only won two of their last nine games, most recently beating the Southern Maryland Senators 4-2 in Gaithersburg.

The Big Train wasted no time getting started in Friday night’s game, as infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) nearly sent one over the wall in the top of the first inning, but the ball hit off the wall for a double. First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) followed him up with a single into right field, and outfielder Zachary Malvasio (University of Central Florida) placed a ball into center field to bring Wright home and give the Big Train the early 1-0 lead. 

Starting right-handed pitcher Jack Sams (University of Kentucky) also got going early, forcing a flyout and a groundout on his first two batters faced, and after giving up a double, forcing another flyout to end the first inning.

Bethesda extended its lead in the second inning as catcher Jack Gagen (Tusculum) stayed patient for a full-count walk with two outs. Johnson blasted a ball off the bat down the third-base line for a triple, and outfielder Aaron Ritenour (East Tennessee State), who pinch ran for Gagen, beat the play at the plate for a score, doubling the Big Train lead to 2-0. 

Sams got back to work in the bottom of the second inning, going three-up, three-down by allowing a single to center field, but following it up with a forced double play to end the second.

Neither team could put runs on the board until the top of the sixth inning, thanks in large part to Sams’ pitching. The Lexington, Kentucky native racked up strikeouts during the stretch, tallying six between the fourth and sixth innings while also not allowing a hit.

The Big Train offense also got into the action in the sixth inning, as primary catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) toughed out a hit-by-pitch and stole second base to put himself in scoring position. Infielder Parker Corbin (University of Maryland) brought him home with a deep double into center field, scoring Gramesty and extending the lead to 3-0 for Bethesda.

Right-handed reliever Jake Nobles (St. Mary’s University (CA)) came into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, ending Sams’ impressive outing at six innings pitched for a total of 76 pitches. Sams totaled 46 strikes for six strikeouts, three hits and no runs during the stretch. 

Nobles came into the game hot, going three-up, three-down, including a strikeout, to end the seventh inning with the Big Train firmly in control of the game. 

Bethesda increased their lead in the top of the eighth inning, starting with back-to-back singles from outfielder Will Haacke and Gramesty to put a runner in scoring position. Corbin followed the pair up with a precise bunt, loading the bases with no outs. 

Infielder Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) stepped up to the plate and launched a ball into left field off the walk for a triple, scoring all three runners on base and propelling the Big Train into a 6-0 lead.

Bethesda did not stop the scoring there, as Gagen worked for a sac fly, scoring Carpenter and making the score 7-0 for Bethesda. Johnson kept the Big Train alive with a single into left field with one out, stole second base and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. 

Wright added to the Big Train lead, scoring Johnson on a sac fly as Bethesda ended the inning with a decisive 8-0 lead. 

Nobles came back onto the mound and kept the momentum going with an unconventional three-up, three-down inning. After forcing a flyout and a groundout, Nobles gave up a single into right field. He did not let that slow him down, as he picked the runner off on the second attempt to end the inning.

To close out the game and the dominant performance, the Big Train tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth inning. Haacke got Bethesda started with a dropped third strike, which advanced him to first.

Haacke then stole second base and advanced to third on a missed throw by the catcher. Gramesty brought the Ellicott City, Maryland native home with a single into left field, bringing the score to 9-0 for Bethesda.

To cap off the night and round the game off with an even 10 runs, Carpenter fired a ball to center field for a double, and Gramesty beat the play at home for a run.

The Big Train returns to Shirley Povich Field for a stretch of home games, starting with a doubleheader against the DC Grays on Saturday afternoon. The first game of the set will begin at 4 p.m., with the second game set to start at 7 p.m.

Saturday is the Third Annual Art of Baseball Night, featuring live plein air painting by the Montgomery Art Association. Bethesda is also proud to honor a Big Train alumnus, Kelli Jenkins, who became the first and only female to play in the Ripken League in 2019.

Tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.