Johnson Hits Walkoff Homer as Big Train Outlast Giants 6-4

BETHESDA, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train (9-7) returned home to Shirley Povich Field to take on the Gaithersburg Giants (8-9) on Father’s Day Sunday evening after winning back-to-back games in a doubleheader series against the Metro South County Braves on Saturday afternoon.

A sold-out crowd watched in anticipation as infielder Cal Johnson (University of Maryland) stepped up during a tie game in the bottom of the ninth with a man on. He took the first ball he saw, crushing it over the right-field wall and sending the Big Train fans home happy with a 6-4 victory.

The Giants came into Sunday evening’s game on a two-game losing streak, falling to the DC Grays in both of their doubleheader games on Saturday afternoon. Bethesda and Gaithersburg both came into Sunday evening’s game in the hunt for the top spot in the North Division, sitting two and 2.5 games behind the lead.

The Giants opened up the scoring, scoring an early run on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first inning. Starting left-handed pitcher Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina University) settled in, striking out a Giant and forcing a lineout in the top of the first, then going three-up, three-down in the top of the second to keep the score a 1-0 for Gaithersburg.

The Big Train got started in the bottom of the third inning. Outfielder Will Haacke (James Madison University) led off with a full-count walk, and stole second base during catcher Jack Gagen’s at-bat. 

Gagen toughed out a hit-by-pitch, getting himself on base, and shortstop Julius Bagnerise (George Mason University) laid down a precise bunt, beating the play and loading the bases for Bethesda. The Big Train stranded the runners, keeping the score 1-0 for the Giants heading into the fourth inning.

The Big Train persevered, getting on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning off of an infielder Logan Ponnett (Gaston College) one-run, 363-feet home run into left field, tying up the score at one. 

“I knew it [was gone] right away,” Ponnett said. “It felt good.” 

The scoring did not stop there, as first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) got himself going with a single into right field. Gonzalez then put himself in scoring position by stealing second base, while third baseman Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) kept patient and walked on a full count, putting runners on first and second base. 

Haacke singled into left field as the next batter up, but the Giants managed to throw Gonzalez out at home for the second out of the inning. Gagen matched Haacke with a single into left field, and Carpenter came home to give the Big Train the lead at 2-1. 

Bethesda extended their lead to close out the inning, as a passed ball by the Giants catcher scored Haacke, putting the Big Train ahead 3-1 through four innings. 

In the top of the sixth inning, the Big Train called to the bullpen for left-handed reliever Talin Gardini (St. Mary’s (CA)). Hoagland ended Sunday evening with 70 pitches through five innings for 39 strikes, three strikeouts, two hits and one run, tying his season-high in innings pitched during a game.

“Stuff was working early, [forced] a lot of ground balls, and the defense played really well tonight,” Hoagland said. “We got a really tight-knit group that’s playing together right now, it’s something we can keep building on going forward and winning more games.”

Gardini impressed quickly, striking out his first batter faced on only four pitches. He then forced back-to-back pop ups to go three-up, three-down in his first inning with Bethesda.

Ponnett led off for the Big Train in the bottom of the sixth inning, firing a single into left field. He then stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Carpenter brought Ponnett home with a sacrifice fly, extending the Bethesda lead to 4-1.

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) came in to relieve Gardini in the top of the seventh inning, and the Giants made a push to get back into the game. Capuano started the evening off with a strikeout, but a walk and a triple allowed the Giants to score, closing the lead to 4-2 for the Big Train.

Gaithersburg then scored on a fielder’s choice, putting the score at 4-3 for Bethesda, but Capuano forced a groundout, ending the inning and maintaining the lead. Capuano ended his night with 19 pitches through one inning for 10 strikes for one strikeout, one hit and two runs.

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hopper (Jacksonville University) came in for the Big Train in the top of the eighth inning, becoming the fourth pitcher to feature for Bethesda on the night. He gave up a home run on his first batter faced, but maintained his composure and went on to force two groundouts and a line out to keep the score even at four-all.

Heading into the top of the ninth inning, both teams were pushing to avoid extra innings and go for the win. The Giants looked like they were going to get there, as with two outs, they held out for two walks and a single, loading the bases. 

In a game-defining moment, Hopper forced a groundout to Carpenter at third base to get out of the inning and give the Big Train the opportunity to win in the bottom of the ninth.

Bagnerise got Bethesda going in the bottom of the ninth by holding out for a full count walk with one out. Up stepped Johnson, and fans in the sold-out Shirley Povich Field and those watching at home through the Big Train Network heard – and saw – what happened next.

“First pitch going, first pitch swinging. Johnson, crushed to right, ball game over! Happy Father’s Day!” Big Train Network commentator Carson Kass exclaimed during the broadcast.

Johnson took the first pitch he saw, hammering it well over the right-field wall for a 369-foot, two-run walk-off homer, giving the Big Train an emphatic 6-4 win over the Giants and closing the gap to the top of the standings.

“Anytime you win, it's great, but doing it in style like that?” Head Coach and General Manager Sal Colangelo said. “Cal [Johnson] is a great ball player, but most importantly, he’s a great human being, he does all the little things, works hard and plays the game the right way.”

The Big Train return to Shirley Povich Field on Monday night to complete their game against the Alexandria Aces, which was suspended due to weather on June 12. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“Whether you’re the last person on the team, or the best person on the team, everyone matters,” Colangelo said. “As long as they know that you believe in them, they’re gonna play for you, and that’s what’s going on here.”

Following the makeup game, Bethesda will stay at home to take on the Olney Cropdusters on Tuesday night for School’s Out Night. The first 25 teachers in attendance at Tuesday night’s game will receive a free scoop of ice cream, sponsored by Max’s Best Ice Cream, and first pitch is also scheduled for 7 p.m.