Despite explosive bats, missed opportunities plague Big Train in 6-2 loss

BOX SCORE

STANDINGS

WALDORF, Md. — In the top of the seventh at cavernous Regency Furniture Stadium, the Bethesda Big Train found itself in an all-too-familiar position: trailing with the bases loaded.

Twice in Monday’s matchup against the Southern Maryland Senators, the Big Train had already left the bases jacked to end an inning. Down just 4-2, it did so again, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking 6-2 loss on the road.

“They executed on the mound when they needed to,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. 

Monday’s matchup featured a rendition of an unstoppable force versus an immovable object. The Big Train entered the game with a 7-1 record in its previous eight games, while Southern Maryland had won nine of its past 10.

The Big Train played a solid game, outhitting the Senators 12 to 10, but multiple instances of unfortunate timing caused the team to leave 14 runners on base. Shortstop Brennon Wright (South Alabama), left fielder Matt Westley (Undecided), right fielder Brett Ott (Sacramento State) and first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic) all picked up multi-hit days.

“We’re two hits away from winning this game,” Gonzalez said. “From now on, we’ve just got to make adjustments, hit the ball and capitalize when there are runners in scoring position.”

The game featured no shortage of magic in the field either. Gonzalez made an excellent catch at first to rob the Senators of a run in the fourth, holding the score at 4-1. In the fifth, it was Wright shutting down Southern Maryland with an impressive diving stop at short to turn two.

“We’ve got a pretty good defense,” Colangelo said. “We just didn’t get it done at the plate.”

The pitching staff was effective as well. Pitchers Drew Bellis (Central Florida), Lucas Marrero (Lynchburg) and Trevor Orth (Roanoke) all bounced back from runs allowed in their respective opening innings to hold the Senators scoreless.

“All three guys threw well,” Colangelo said. “The pitchers have been working really hard on the mechanics and the command and just pounding the zone.”

But despite all of the positives, it remained a game of “almosts” for the Big Train. A couple of key hits could have changed the trajectory of the game entirely, but at the end of the day, the Senators won the battle.

Today, the Big Train will face the Metro SoCo Braves at 7 p.m. Although the former is technically the away team, that matchup will take place at Shirley Povich Field due to a heat-related countywide field closure affecting South County High School. The Big Train’s next scheduled home game is currently slated for Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Gaithersburg Giants.

Click HERE for a full inning-by-inning recap of Monday's game!