Big Train’s Stars of the Week: Week 2

Team Photo by Matthew Lewyn

Even with the weather not cooperating with the Big Train this week, Bethesda still used the time off to win all three completed games. The Big Train is now riding a four-game win streak into the third week of Ripken League play after starting the season 1-3.

Bethesda started the week by defeating the Olney Cropdusters 11-4 Tuesday, then went two days without a completed game. The Big Train rattled off back-to-back wins 15 hours apart Saturday and Sunday. Bethesda started the weekend with an 11-5 victory over the Gaithersburg Giants and a 14-3 win against the Silver-Spring Takoma Thunderbolts.

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

Will Haacke #15 of the Bethesda Big Train stands in the batter’s box during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field at OBGC Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Olney, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

3. Will Haacke (James Madison)

Haacke enters the stars of the week after producing two 3 RBIs games. He started the week off with a 1-for-4 performance against Cropdusters. In the game, Haacke hit an RBI-grounder to bring in Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) in the fourth inning. He then singled to bring in Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) in the fifth inning before drawing a walk in a bases-loaded sixth frame to help provide a cushion for the Big Train’s victory.

During Saturday’s contest against the Giants, Haacke got to work quickly at the plate. At the five-spot in the lineup, Haacke produced a single to left field in the bottom of the first inning. His hit helped clear the way for Cal Johnson (Maryland) and Brennon Wright (South Alabama) to score. Haacke then hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to score Johnson.

Throughout the season, Haacke is tied for fourth in the Ripken League for RBIs. He produced four during the first week of play, including a 3-RBI game against the Thunderbolts June 7. In the contest, Haacke drove a ball deep into center field, which collided off the wall and allowed three baserunners to score. Haacke then was able to score on the play due to a throwing error from the opposition.

“I thought I got it, but it stayed in,” Haacke said postgame June 7. “It was definitely good. Two outs, and then we kept rallying, and I think we scored 12 in that inning, so it definitely felt good.”

Bethesda Big Train Catcher Franklin Pichardo Jr. (22) celebrates a home run while Bethesda Big Train Bat Boy Lucas Dropkin (0), Bethesda Big Train Second Baseman Brennon Wright (27) and Bethesda Big Train First Baseman Emilio Gonzalez (45) join him during the game against the Gaithersburg Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

2. Franklin Pichardo Jr. (Maryland)

Pichardo played in his first two games for the Big Train this week, and the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, native showed his value quickly. Against the Giants, Pichardo lifted a ball towards left field, which got out and over the fence with room to spare. His 384-foot home run was Bethesda’s first of the season at Shirley Povich Field.

The homer provided three runs to the Big Train, extending their lead to 6-1 in the second innings. Pichardo finished the game with 4 RBIs after being hit by a pitch during a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning.

“It was pretty good, pretty cool,” Pichardo said after the win. “Home run pitch. I’m trying to get some more bombs and have fun with the boys.”

He entered the lineup as Bethesda’s designated hitter again in Sunday’s victory over the Thunderbolts. While not hitting a home run, Pichardo still helped the Big Train’s offense in the 11-run win. In the fourth inning, Pichardo scored a baserunner on a fielder’s choice before scoring a run himself later in the inning to give Bethesda a 9-0 advantage.

In two games this season, Pichardo holds a .250 batting average, .700 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage.

Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jack Sams (31) pitches during the game against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

1. Jack Sams (Kentucky)

Sams made his Big Train debut in the last matchup of the week, starting in the 14-3 victory over the Thunderbolts Sunday morning, but found a rhythm early, pitching the first four innings of the contest.

The Lexington, Kentucky native earned his first two outs of the season with a pop fly and a lineout in his first two at-bats, but notched his first strikeout of the season in his third at-bat, leaving the Thunderbolt batter looking on a full count. He continued the no-hit streak, earning another strikeout and forcing two groundouts, only allowing his first hit in the top of the third inning, his eighth batter faced. Before being relieved in the top of the fifth inning, Sams recorded 56 pitches for 34 strikes, three strikeouts and only two hits allowed. 

“I thought I got ahead for the most part, attacked the zone with the fast ball and cutter, and I was able to work in the curveball and changeup in the third inning,” Sams said postgame. “[The Big Train] is super welcoming, I’m still getting to know everyone.”

Bethesda begins the third week of Ripken League play against the Metro South County Braves at Shirley Povich Field Monday. The matchup is a makeup of the June 10 rainout, meaning all tickets from June 10 will be valid. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Additional tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.