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Gonzalez, Malvasio Home Runs Lift Big Train to 4-1 Victory Over Cropdusters
Photo by Matthew Lewyn
OLNEY, Md. — Coming into Friday night’s game, the Bethesda Big Train and Olney Cropdusters were tied atop the North Division standings. The two teams both sat at 17-8, the best records in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League this season. It was a clash of two titans at First Responder Field.
Right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF) stepped into the batter’s box with a tied game in the top of the seventh inning. It was a chance for the Big Train to sit alone at the top of the standings. Malvasio then provided Bethesda with another game-winning deep shot and his league-leading seventh home run of the season. The two-run homer propelled the Big Train to a 4-1 win.
“It means we're the best team in the league, that's pretty much it,” first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) said. “They came in here trying to beat us, but we played better. We hit in our key moments, we just did what we had to do.”
Due to extreme heat in the Bethesda area, all Ripken League games until July 5 will only run seven innings. Entering the top of the seventh inning, both squads were tied at one.
Gonzalez drew a nine-pitch walk to begin the frame before moving to second on a wild pitch. Malvasio followed by hitting a high-arching home run 400 feet and over the left field wall.
However, both All-Stars showed their selections were worthy on Friday.
Bethesda gave up the game’s opening run to the Cropdusters in the bottom of the second inning. A misplayed ball in the outfield led to an RBI triple for Olney. At the same time, the Big Train’s bats could not get going. In Bethesda’s first three innings of Friday’s contest, they could only produce one hit, which was then subsequently washed away with a double play.
When the fourth inning arrived, the fortune for the Big Train looked the same as the previous three frames. Designated hitter Cal Johnson (Maryland) started the frame with a five-pitch walk before second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama) grounded into a double play.
Now with two outs on the scoreboard, Gonzalez stepped into the batter’s box. After winning the Triple Crown last season, Gonzalez has produced a down season to his standards, but one that caused him to be selected as a designated hitter in the All-Star Game on June 7.
Yet Gonzalez has continued to fight through rough stretches of play this season, and on Friday, his father helped him mentally.
Bethesda Big Train First Baseman Emilio Gonzalez (46) swings his bat 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)
“He's just telling me to keep my head clear, see the ball up,” Gonzalez said. “Typical dad things. He's the man, though.”
The pep talk was enough for Gonzalez to knock a fly ball over the center field wall for his first home run of the season and provide the Big Train with the game-tying run in the fourth inning. Even though Olney’s outfield sprinklers started to soak the field before his at-bat, Gonzalez was still composed at the plate.
“The swing feels good,” Gonzalez said. “I kept barreling balls, and it was just a matter of time of trusting myself, trusting the process, everything flowed, and I was able to get one today.”
The Big Train also tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning after Malvasio’s home run.
Third baseman Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) walked to be Bethesda’s next baserunner. However, he was picked off at first base for the Big Train’s second out of the frame.
Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) followed by drawing a seven-pitch walk. Then, shortstop Kieran Coleman (Northeast Mississippi CC) stepped up to hit in his second game wearing a Big Train jersey. The moment did not get to Coleman’s head as he roped a single down the left field line to bring home Gramesty for the score.
Left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky) then shut the door on an attempted comeback from the Cropdusters.
Gagen started the bottom of the seventh by gaining two outs in the first two opposing hitters. However, he could not find the strike zone and allowed the next two hitters to walk. Facing a jam to close the game, Gagen did not blink. He forced a fly out to left field on the first pitch of the at-bat for the third out.
Gagen produced two hitless innings against the Cropdusters. The Ashburn, Virginia, native also racked up three strikeouts on his 44 pitches.
“They're playing team baseball, playing for one another,” Big Train pitching coach Craig Lopez said. “When their opportunity comes around, they're doing the absolute best that they can, and that's what it's about, doing it for the next guy.”
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)
However, his spectacular outing to give Bethesda the win could not have happened without right-handed pitcher Jack Sams (Kentucky) pitching five impressive innings. Sams struck out four opposing hitters, plus he gave up three hits for the second consecutive time on the mound.
The Big Train will return to Shirley Povich Field on July 5 against the Metro South County Braves. Bethesda swept a doubleheader against Metro South County on June 20 and will look to continue that success on Public Safety & Military Appreciation Night.
The evening will honor the Maryland State Police and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad while celebrating the Bethesda Fire Department's 100th anniversary. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to explore the special emergency vehicles and equipment on display before first pitch
Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.
“We’re looking to keep making adjustments and keep winning,” Gonzalez said. And eventually win the whole thing.”