Big Train’s Stars of the Week: Week 1

Team Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club

In an opening week full of ups and downs for the Big Train, Bethesda now turns the page to the second week of Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League play. The Big Train ended the first week with a 2-3 record, two games back from the North Division-leading Gaithersburg Giants.

But at the end of every week, we will take a look back at the best performances from Big Train players:

Cal Johnson #9 of the Bethesda Big Train throws to first base during the exhibition game against Yorktown Coconuts at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

3. Cal Johnson (Maryland)

Johnson enters the stars of the week after a five-walk performance against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts Sunday. Johnson tied shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) for a Big Train leading seven walks drawn this season. The pair ranks tied for sixth in the Ripken League.

The Tampa, Florida, native has also produced a .524 on-base percentage, which ranks 15th among qualified hitters in the Ripken League. Even though Johnson did not record a hit against the Thunderbolts, he did finish the first three games of the season with at least one hit. Johnson has also racked up five RBIs to start the 2026 campaign.

In the Big Train’s opening night contest against the Thunderbolts June 2, Johnson reached base on a fielding error. As a result of his hard baserunning, Bethesda loaded the bases for Machado, who drew a walk and tied the game at 11. The Big Train held on for the 12-11 walk-off win.

Kyzer Smith #38 of the Bethesda Big Train pitches during the exhibition game against Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, May 29, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

2. Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic)

Smith wrapped up the first week of play, pitching 5.2 innings for the Big Train, the team-leading total. In the opening game of the season, Smith slammed the door shut on the Thunderbolts to close the game in Bethesda’s favor. The right-hander provided two scoreless innings without a baserunner after inheriting runners on first and second in the eighth inning.

The Stonewall, Louisiana, native then pitched in the Big Train’s 5-3 loss at the Gaithersburg Giants on June 4. Smith provided 3.2 essential innings of relief. He struck out four Giants hitters while giving up only three hits on 56 pitches thrown.

Smith is tied for the team lead with six strikeouts. He has also posted a 0.71 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA.

Emilio Gonzalez #45 of the Bethesda Big Train waits for the pitch against Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, June 5, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

1. Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern)

Gonzalez started the 2026 season with a bang, hitting the walk-off single on Opening Night to propel the Big Train past the Thunderbolts in the 12-11 victory. He finished the contest with two hits and a walk in five at-bats, bringing in two runs. 

Gonzalez got hot against the Thunderbirds in their second matchup for Sunday night’s 27-13 victory, racking up three hits and a walk, and six RBIs in six at-bats, notching a season-high .571 OBP. 

This season, the 2025 First Team All-Ripken-Senior-League first baseman leads the Ripken League in RBIs with 10 in five games. The Cape Coral, Florida, native also leads Bethesda in hits with eight on 23 total at-bats, and comes up second in batting average at .348, only behind infielder Brennon Wright (South Alabama) at .364.

Bethesda starts the second week of Ripken League play with an away showdown with the Olney Cropdusters Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at First Responder Field at OBGC Park. The Big Train is back at Povich Field against the Metro South County Braves at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 

Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.