Martzolf Strikes Out Three to Beat Thunderbolts in 8-5 Thriller

Box Score

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Big Train was able to hold off a late surge from the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts to get back in the win column, defeating the Thunderbolts 8-5.

As the bottom of the ninth inning rolled around, the Bolts loaded the bases off multiple walks and a base hit. Manager Sal Colangelo called on his closer, senior Max Martzolf (Florida Atlantic) to come in for relief and stunt any late game heroics.

“Max just comes in and does his job. He knows how to pitch, he knows what he needs to do, and he hits his spots. He’s just a great player,” Colangelo said.

Martzolf struck out the first two batters he saw, zipping in strike after strike to take some of the pressure off the Big Train. After a bases loaded walk, Martzolf finished the job, striking out Ryan Cuadros in three pitches.

“I knew I could just throw fastballs past these guys, and that’s all I did,” Martzolf said.

The Big Train found itself with another debuting pitcher, senior Will Clements (Tulane), who got the start and pitched three innings, recording two strikeouts in his first outing in a Bethesda uniform.

“He did amazing, he was getting quick outs. He definitely helped our bullpen for sure,” Martzolf said.

The Big Train bats were consistent all night as well. After not getting on the board in the first two innings, Bethesda scored in five of the final seven innings, led by a three run third inning, which saw the Big Train take a lead that it maintained for the rest of the night. 

Sophomore Davin Whitaker (East Carolina) finished the game with two hits and two RBIs, while Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) continued his impressive first week with the Big Train, scoring two runs with two hits.

“We just had tough at-bats again, just competing against the pitcher. We were just settling in and being ourselves. We overcomplicate it a lot, so just getting back to playing ball,” Whittaker said. 

With the win, the Big Train move back to .500 on the year, and right back in the mix to take first place in the Cal Ripken Sr. North division. Colangelo is taking it game by game, as Bethesda prepares for a weekend homestand.

“Just take it one at a time, be happy but don’t be satisfied. We still have to be better,” Colangelo said.

The Big Train will look to keep the momentum rolling Friday night against the Metro SOCO Braves with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Shirley Povich Field. 

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