Big Train’s Stars of the Week: Week 5

Bethesda Big Train Bat Boy Walt Adkins throws a ball in the air during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field at OBGC Park on Friday, July 3, 2026 in Olney, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

The Bethesda Big Train have been on a roll over the last two weeks, now on a nine-game win streak after defeating the Gaithersburg Giants 4-1 on Monday night. The Big Train enter the All-Star Game with a 19-8 overall record and a one-game lead over the Olney Cropdusters for first in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League standings.

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

Bethesda Big Train Center Fielder Ryan Foscolo (30) swings his bat during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at Shirley Povich Field on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

3. Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky)

After being sparingly used in the lineup to end June, Foscolo has become a mainstay for the Big Train over the past six games. During the past week, the outfielder produced two games of three RBIs and another contest with two RBIs. Foscolo hurt opposing pitching staffs with a patient plate approach, only recording one extra-base hit in six games.

Foscolo produced a 1-for-4 performance with two RBIs against the Southern Maryland Senators on June 30. With the bases loaded against the Alexandria Aces on July 2, Foscolo roped a single into the outfield to score the game-winning runs for the Big Train. The Oviedo, Florida, native then provided most of Bethesda’s offense against the Giants with a sacrifice fly and single.

Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jack Sams (31) pitches during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field at OBGC Park on Friday, July 3, 2026 in Olney, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

2. Jack Sams (Kentucky)

Sams produced another impressive outing for the Big Train in a 4-1 victory against the Cropdusters on July 3. The right-handed pitcher struck out four opposing hitters in the contest. Sams allowed three hits in his five innings of work but worked out of jams and surrendered only one run.

Over the course of the season, Sams has made four appearances — all starts — for the Big Train. The Lexington, Kentucky, native has produced a 2.84 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 19.0 innings. His production ranks third for Bethesda, while his strikeout total sits at fifth on the Big Train’s pitching staff.

Bethesda Big Train Right Fielder Zachary Malvasio (37) stands in the batter’s box during the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

1. Zachary Malvasio (UCF)

There’s a reason why Malvasio was named the Ripken League’s Hitter of the Week. Malvasio finished the fifth week of the season with a .400 batting average, three home runs and six RBIs. The Southwest Ranches, Florida, native has produced a Ripken League-leading seven home runs in 22 games played.

Malvasio’s damage came against the Cropdusters on July 1 and July 3. In the first matchup, the primary outfielder launched a two-run homer over the left field wall at Povich Field. Malvasio then made an even larger play in the fifth inning. He homered again, but this time his deep shot helped spark a three-run comeback inning for the win.

Malvasio then knocked another home run against Cropdusters in a 4-1 victory at First Responder Field later in the week. His two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning gave Bethesda the lead.

Bethesda will host the All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on July 7 at Shirley Povich Field. The Ripken League matches up against the 12-team Valley Baseball League. Tickets can be found on the Big Train’s website.