Big Train Top Giants 3-2 in Marathon Game

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Bethesda, MD – The Bethesda Big Train (11-4) nipped the Gaithersburg Giants (4-9) 3-2 in a three-hour, 27-minute marathon game that started an hour and 45 minutes late due to numerous weather-related delays.

The game started as a pitcher’s duel. Big Train starter Brandon Cassedy (Christopher Newport) threw four scoreless innings and struck out six. Cassedy has not allowed a run in twelve innings this season. Giants starter Patrick Bauer was similarly dominant. Bauer allowed one run in his four innings of work and struck out eight batters.

The first run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth. Jack Guerrero (UNC Wilmington) hit a fly ball to shallow left field that scored Carter Cunningham (East Carolina) after Giants left fielder Alex Knapp made an offline throw home.

After Big Train’s first run of the game, Gaithersburg and Bethesda began to trade runs. Gaithersburg tied the game at one in the top of the fifth inning after Joshua Wilson hit a ground ball single to center to drive in Alex Knapp.

Big Train, however, quickly retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Zeb Ruddell (LSU) came home to make the game 2-1 after Jacob Orr (Maryland) grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. 

The Giants tied the game again in the top of the sixth after Zack Martin hit a single to right field. Bethesda, though, held the Giants to just the one run when, on the same play, right fielder Jason Schiavone (James Madison) threw out Bennett Shealor at the plate. Shealor was called out thanks to an excellent tag from Big Train catcher Nick DeLisi (East Carolina).

Bethesda took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh. Schiavone walked with the bases loaded to make the score 3-2. However, the score remained close as the Big Train couldn't tack on any additional runs. With one out, Guerrero hit into a double play after scorching a 98-MPH line drive right at Giants first baseman Matthew Williams.

Still, a one run lead was all the Big Train needed. Max Martzolf (Florida Atlantic) cruised through three scoreless innings to earn the win and end the lengthy game. Martzolf dominated Gaithersburg hitters while only relying on his fastball.

“I don't think I threw a single offspeed tonight,” Martzolf said. “[I] just got to attack the count early and give them my best.”

On the offensive side of the game, Schiavone and Cunningham both had perfect days. In four plate appearances, Schiavone had four walks, and Cunningham went three for three with a walk. 

In the game, the Big Train donned replicas of the 1954 Scotland Eagles home uniforms for the second annual Clarence “Pint” Isreall Juneteenth Classic. The Eagles were a black sandlot team based in the local Scotland community that played from the 1940s to the 1960s. 

After eleven straight games, the Big Train will have the day off on Tuesday. Bethesda returns to play Wednesday against the D.C. Grays at Shirley Povich Field at 7 p.m.