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Malvasio’s 3-Run Homer Propels Big Train to 16-3 Run-Rule Victory Over Giants
Bethesda Big Train outfielder Zachary Malvasio (37) prepares to swing at a pitch during the game against the Metro South County Braves at Shirley Povich Field on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
BETHESDA, Md. — Zachary Malvasio (UCF) knows he’s a threat in the batter’s box.
“When they leave it over the plate, it gets hammered,” Malvasio said.
The Ripken Sr. League leader in home runs showcased a powerful swing in the sixth inning Sunday night. Launching a deep shot over left field to propel the Bethesda Big Train to a 13-run advantage and give himself a three-home-run buffer over second place.
The Big Train were hot at the plate Sunday night, scoring in four out of six innings they had plate appearances in. With strong pitching performances from left-hander Charlie Hoagland (East Carolina) and right-hander Aiden Parker (George Mason), Bethesda cruised to a 16-4 victory against the Gaithersburg Giants to start the last week of regular season games.
“We just want to be having some momentum going into this tournament,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “You just want to do the little things and compete.”
Malvasio’s home run capped off an eight-run bottom of the sixth for the Big Train. As a team, Bethesda compiled 10 hits, 13 RBIs and 13 walks against a Giants’ pitching staff that couldn’t find the strike zone.
Designated hitter Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) and Malvasio both finished with 3-RBI performances. Gonzalez surpassed the 100 RBI mark in his now three-season career for the Big Train. Right fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) also provided a steady bat, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and one walk in the game.
Bethesda’s sixth inning began with Malvasio being hit by the first pitch of the frame. Two batters later, third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) brought him home with a single to right field.
Catcher Jack Gagen (Norfolk State) — who entered the game due to an injury to TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) in the fifth inning — then drew a six-pitch walk. The disciplined plate approach was rewarded with the sixth pitch of the at-bat flying over the Gaithersburg catcher’s glove. The wild pitch led to left fielder Cal Johnson (Maryland) scoring.
On the next pitch, Foscolo hit a double to left field to score Ponnett. Second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama) continued the red-hot offense with a single that scored Gagen before a Gonzalez sacrifice fly was enough to bring Foscolo home. Then, Malvasio launched a ball into the trees beyond the left field wall.
“He's so impressive,” Colangelo said. “He could do it on the bump. He could do it in the field. Starts the outfield. Just a great athlete, and he's going to do great things for Coach [Rich] Wallace and Central Florida.”
With five lefty bats in the Giants order, Hoagland started Sunday’s contest to match the opposition. Throughout his outing, Hoagland stepped up in crucial situations to minimize the Giants’ offense.
With the bases loaded to open the game, Hoagland struck out two consecutive opposing hitters to end the frame. He finished his outing after four innings pitched, allowing five hits and three runs — one of which was earned.
Hoagland closed the gap to the Southern Maryland Senators’ Will Petteys for the top of the strikeout leaderboard. His two punchouts in the first inning were his only pair during the game, but he is now one behind Petteys for the Ripken Sr. League-leading number.
After 60 pitches and four innings, Hoagland was removed for Parker in relief. The 6-foot-8 frame of Parker mystified Giants hitters over his three innings of work. Garnering his first win of the season, Parker compiled seven strikeouts — including three in the top of the seventh. He also allowed only one hit and one walk over the course of 45 pitches.
“Everyone is getting some work going into the last couple of games,” Colangelo said. “Facing the top two to get the double by, we’ll try to get everyone work and keep everyone fresh, but also get the innings they need to be able to go.”
Bethesda extended its lead in the fifth frame. Johnson started the inning with a four-pitch walk before stealing second.
A baserunner in scoring position proved crucial to the Big Train, as Ponnett slapped a double into the gap in right field to bring home Johnson. Ponnett then advanced to third base after catcher Gagen grounded out.
Foscolo battled in a six-pitch at-bat, producing a walk. He then stole second before Haacke produced the Big Train’s third walk of the inning. With the bases loaded, Coleman kept the good fortune going for Bethesda. He walked on five pitches to allow Ponnett to easily stroll home for a run.
Yet, the misfortunes for the Giants continued as Wright stepped into the batter’s box. On a routine double play, Gaithersburg's throw sailed past the first baseman and into foul territory. Coleman was called out at second, but Haacke and Foscolo were allowed to safely run home.
Bethesda returned the Giants' opening run with a two-run bottom of the second inning. Gramesty produced a leadoff hit to center field before his speed stealing second led to Gaithersburg throwing the ball into the outfield.
With Gramesty on third base, Foscolo hit a high-arching line drive into center field, but the Giants couldn’t make a play on the ball. Foscolo raced into second base, as Gramesty was brought home.
A groundout from center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) moved Foscolo to third. The Oviedo, Florida, native then advanced home by a groundout from shortstop Kieran Coleman (Clarion).
After giving up its lead in the top of the third inning, Bethesda stormed back in the bottom of the frame to retake an advantage against its North Division foes.
Haacke was the first baserunner for the Big Train in the inning with an infield single to the left side. Coleman followed with a walk to put two baserunners on for Wright. However, a pickoff attempt from the Giants on Haacke proved successful.
Now with two outs in the inning, Wright walked on five pitches to put two baserunners back onto the basepaths. Designated hitter Gonzalez provided a big spot for the Big Train with a double off the left-center field wall to score Wright and Coleman.
Sunday night was the last regular season game at Povich Field, but the Big Train still has a collection of contests left to close out the league phase. Bethesda travels to Robert J. Talbot Field at Catholic University on Monday to face the D.C. Grays. The Big Train then match up against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts and Olney Cropdusters on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
“We've got to take momentum into the away games,” Malvasio said. “Obviously, got to show up at the other places, but our record away is not too bad, and I think we've got to keep our same approach and don't change anything.”