Big Train Take Game One of Semifinal Series over Senators 6-2

Bethesda Big Train Second Baseman Brennon Wright (27) swings his bat in the batter’s box during the first game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

BETHESDA, Md — The Bethesda Big Train kicked off the playoff campaign to defend their three-peat of Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League titles in the semifinals, defeating the Southern Maryland Senators 6-2 at a packed Shirley Povich Field.

The Big Train came into Saturday evening’s game as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, falling only half a game short of the Olney Cropdusters, and looked to defend home turf against the No. 3 Senators, who topped the South Division this season.

Fans could feel the tension at the ballpark on Saturday evening, knowing that the Senators took home the most recent matchup between the two teams this season, an 11-8 shootout in early July, snapping a 10-game win streak for the Big Train.

Bethesda relied on the left-handed pitcher Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina University) to lead the team from the mound to kick the game off, and he did just that. The Dalton, Ohio native came flying out of the gates, forcing a strikeout on the first at-bat of the evening.

Hoagland continued, forcing a groundout and a flyout to end the first and notching two more groundouts and his second strikeout of the night to end the second. He continued providing through the third inning, forcing a pair of groundouts and picking off a runner to keep the Senators off the board through three.

The Big Train bats came to life in the bottom of the third, breaking the deadlock as catcher Jack Gagen got himself on base after being hit by a pitch. Outfielder Will Haacke (James Madison University), who pinch-ran for Gagen, stole second base to get himself in scoring position and give the Big Train the opportunity to take the first lead of the night. 

Infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) stepped up, delivering a deep single into center field, scoring Haacke and putting himself on second base. First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) hit a very similar ball to Wright, scoring him and bringing the Big Train lead to 2-0.

Bethesda Big Train Center Fielder Will Haacke (15) slides into home plate during the first game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

That momentum carried the Big Train through the bottom of the fourth inning, where it would tack on four more runs and firm its grip on the game. Infielder Logan Ponnett (George Mason University) toughed through a hit-by-pitch on a full count to lead off for Bethesda. 

Infielder Cal Johnson (Florida Atlantic University) followed up with a single to right field, advancing Ponnett to third base and setting the table for outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) to launch a ball off of the center field wall, driving Ponnett home and extending the lead to 3-0.

The Big Train offense did not stop there, as infielder Kieran Coleman (Clarion University) loaded the bases. Gagen brought Johnson home on a single to center field before primary catcher TJ Gramesty walked in another run for the 5-0 lead. 

Wright stepped up to the plate and came away with a sac fly into center field, scoring Coleman and eventually ending the inning with an all-important 6-0 lead. 

Hoagland found himself in a tough situation at the top of the fifth inning with the bases loaded but two outs. However, he fought his way back, forcing a fielder’s choice at second base to end the inning without giving up a run.

Hoagland then flew through the sixth inning before being relieved by the right-handed Aiden Parker (George Mason). Hoagland ended his evening with 79 pitches for 50 strikes through six shutout innings, allowing six hits, one walk and striking out three.

“Charlie [Hoagland] and Aiden [Parker], what can you say?” Big Train Head Coach Sal Colangelo said. “Charlie’s phenomenal, and Aiden came in and closed the door.”

Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Aiden Parker (44) delivers a pitch during the first game of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Semifinals against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Parker could not have asked for a better start to his outing. Despite giving up a single down the left-field line, the 6-foot-7 reliever delivered three strikeouts to close out the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, he walked two runners and gave up a single to load the bases once again for the Senators.

The first run of the evening came home for the Senators on a passed ball, but Parker stopped a potential comeback, forcing a fly out for the third out of the inning. He would allow a run to score in the top of the ninth inning, but an athletic play by Ponnett at third base got the groundout to end the game 6-2 in favor of the Big Train.

Armed with a 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2, Bethesda now travels to Waldorf to play at Regency Furniture Stadium, the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

“The guys are excited, it’s a nice ball field,” Colangelo said. “We just gotta come ready to play, one inning, one pitch at a time and take it from there.”