Gonzalez, Corbin dominate as Big Train trounces Braves

by Calvin Kaplan

Jake Titus

LORTON, Va. — Amid a 23-6 blowout, Bethesda Big Train players were looking for ways to spice things up.

Enter Jake Titus.

Titus (Kansas City Kansas CC) — normally a right-handed pitcher — stepped into the left-handed batter’s box not once, but twice in Monday’s victory over the Metro SoCo Braves. An outfielder in high school, he managed to deliver in both appearances, smacking a pair of singles and picking up an RBI against two of the Braves’ three position players who pitched in the game.

“I’ve been lobbying for the past few days, hitting BP, to get in the game to Sal, and he just caved in today and let me hit,” Titus said.

“I don’t know what to say,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said with a chuckle. “I mean, it is what it is, right?”

Both of Titus’ hits sparked roars from the dugout, but many other players had big-time performances on Monday as well. Six RBIs from first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) and five from third baseman Parker Corbin (Maryland) added to the onslaught. Corbin, in particular, emerged with an RBI double, RBI triple and two sacrifice flies before the Braves’ position player madness began.

“Parker’s hit the ball well for most of the season,” Colangelo said. “He’s been very unfortunate and very unlucky. Parker can hit, he’s a player.”

The Big Train also enjoyed a scoreless three-inning outing from left-hander Lucas Marrero (Lynchburg), who fired five strikeouts in the contest.

“Lucas was great, man,” Colangelo said. “He had a great command. He executed pitches when he needed to. He was able to hit the outside corner when he needed to, and, I mean, he was brilliant.”

With one more regular season game remaining, the Big Train will seek to refocus and prepare for the playoffs.

“Just another day,” Colangelo said. “They’ll be ready to go.”

Today’s matchup will be a continuation of the Big Train’s suspended game against the Olney Cropdusters. It will take place at 7 p.m.

Click HERE to read the recap of Monday’s win!