‘Never Give Up:’ Big Train Rally Past Thunderbolts in Comeback Opening Night Win

by Sean McAvoy

TJ Gramesty by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — When first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) stepped into the batter’s box at Shirley Povich Field Tuesday night, he had a chance to hit a walkoff for the first time in his career. As the home fans held their collective breath, Gonzalez was calm inside the box.

Gonzalez took two pitches before lining a walk-off single to bring in second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama) and completing the Big Train’s 12-11 comeback against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on Opening Night of Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League play.

“It was amazing,” Gonzalez said. “That's just how we play. We got talent, we got a loaded roster, and we're good. We know we're good to be the best team in this league.”

The victory capped off a six-run comeback effort from the Big Train. After two innings, Bethesda found themselves in an 8-2 hole. For some teams, the deficit would seem impossible, however, the Brain Train had a different way of thinking.

Emilio Gonzalez by Matthew Lewyn

“I think a lot of these guys come from a background of ‘never give up,’” Wright said. “Which is, you know, awesome to have, especially seeing that we can do it early on. It makes me feel really confident for us going down the stretch.”

Wright finished the game 3-for-4 with a walk and a hit by pitch. The Starkville, Mississippi, native put the game-winning run on base in the ninth inning after laying down a bunt and outrunning the Thunderbolts’ defense. A chopper back to the pitcher from right fielder Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic) moved Wright to second base. Then, a passed ball advanced Wright to third.

Bethesda gave up five runs in the first inning and three in the second. Offensively, the Big Train could only muster up two runs in the first inning and one run in the third. Bethesda started the game with RBIs from Wright and right fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) in the first frame. In the third inning, Johnson scored after an error from the Thunderbolts’ second baseman.

On the mound, right-handed pitcher Austin Monahan (State College of Florida) was brought in to begin the third inning. Monahan got the Big Train back on the track in his three innings of work. The Sterling, Virginia, native struck out four hitters while giving up no runs and four hits.

Austin Monahan by Matthew Lewyn

Monahan’s work on the mound was helped by a three-run fifth inning. Designated hitter Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) started the inning with a double to left field. Shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) followed with an RBI triple.

Gonzalez grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring home Johnson, as the Thunderbolts got the runner out at second. Wright then scored on center fielder Jack Mirza’s (South Florida) sacrifice fly to deep center field.

“I don’t like losing,” Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo said. “We're not going to give up. I told them, first pitch to last pitch. You just got to instill it within them and pound them.”

After making it a two-run ball game at the end of the fifth inning, the Big Train entered the bottom of the seventh inning down five runs. As fans bought peanuts and Cracker Jacks and rooted for the home team, Bethesda began to position itself to complete the comeback.

Machado started the inning with a ground ball finding a gap to right field for a single. Then, Gonzalez, third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) and Mirza all made contact on the subsequent at-bats. Ponnett’s hit resulted in a fielder’s choice that strendedMachado at third base.

However, the Big Train took advantage of mistakes from the Thunderbolts’ fielders.

Gonzalez started the scoring during the bottom of the seventh after catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) drew a bases-loaded walk. Ponnett, Mirza and Gramesty crossed home plate due to two separate throwing errors from the Thunderbolts’ shortstop.

The first error led to Bagnerise reaching second base, while the latter helped Johnson end up at first base. After loading the bases for a second time in the inning, Machado drew a walk to bring in Bagnersie and tie the game at 11.

“Guys just trying to learn to get to know each other, and once that happens, we'll be great,” Colangelo said. “We're good now, but what we got to get to is the greatest, not good enough. Credit to them, but we just hung in there.”

Team Huddle by Matthew Lewyn

Bethesda (1-0) will now turn its attention to a pair of away games. The Big Train travels to Olney to match up against the Cropdusters on Wednesday before heading to the Gaithersburg Giants on Thursday. Bethesda will be back in action at Shirley Povich Field Friday against the Southern Maryland Senators. Tickets can be found on the Big Train’s website.

“Just keep winning,” Gonzalez said. “We have to keep rolling and keep the bats hot.”

Rewatch the game on the Big Train's YouTube channel