New and Familiar Faces Look to Carry Big Train’s Winning Culture into 2026 Season

Photo by Matthew Lewyn

Twenty-six seasons ago, the Bethesda Big Train welcomed fans through the front gates of Shirley Povich Field. On that day, the Big Train defeated the Arlington Senators 7-2 in the team’s inaugural game.

Now entering their 27th season as a baseball club, the Big Train looks to complete an accomplishment that has only happened one other time in Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League history: win four consecutive championships.

The Big Train pulled off the feat between the 2016 and 2019 seasons. Bethesda ended last season with a two-game sweep over the Alexandria Aces. The Big Train now enters into head coach Sal Colangelo’s 21st season as manager of the ball club. In his time as head coach, Colangelo has never finished worse than 24-18 in the regular season and has led the Big Train to 12 Ripken League Titles.

“You've got to be intentional in everything you do,” Colangelo said. “So, when you're intentional, and [the players] know you matter and that they matter to you, they're gonna run through the wall for you.”

Bethesda will rely on a group of eight returners — four position players and four pitchers — from previous seasons to continue the tradition of winning.

After winning the first “Triple Crown” in Ripken League history last season, first baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) returns as a key contributor in the Big Train’s quest for a championship. His.418 batting average was tied for the fifth-best mark in Ripken League history. Five home runs and 41 RBIs rounded out Gonzalez’s record-breaking season.

Emilio Gonzalez by Matthew Lewyn

Gonzalez transferred from Florida Atlantic to NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern before the 2026 college season. In his junior year, Gonzalez produced a .318 batting average, nine home runs and 50 RBIs on his way to being named to the D2CCA All-Region second team.

“I learned to trust my process, no matter what,” Gonzalez said about his junior season. “I turned my season around, finished hitting over 300 with nine bombs, and it was just a good turnaround, good way to know that I can do it, and I can be a good hitter.”

Alongside Gonzalez, infielder Brennon Wright (South Alabama) was named to the All-Ripken League first team last season. Wright comes back after a .371 batting average, 27 RBIs and 11 stolen bases last season. 

The Starkville, Mississippi, native returned to South Alabama to post a .339 batting average and 32 RBIs during the 2026 college season. The production culminated in an All-Sun Belt second team selection.

“Those are your two leaders right there,” Colangelo said. “Not even just baseball players, human beings. So, when you get great human beings, it equals a lot of W's.”

Logan Ponnett (Gaston) and Parker Corbin (Maryland) round out the position players returning for the 2026 campaign. Ponnett produced a .272 batting average, three home runs and 29 RBIs in 27 games played last season. The Wilmington, North Carolina, native also swiped 10 stolen bases during the 2025 season.

Ponnett produced a .443 batting average in the spring, the second-best mark for Gaston, while also generating 15 home runs and 57 RBIs.

“The more I play, the more you see pitching, and the more you understand yourself,” Ponnett said. “Once you kind of figure out the player you are, you just roll with it. Last summer, and then this past spring at Gaston, I kind of figured out who I am as a player.”

Parker Corbin by Matthew Lewyn

Corbin finished last season in Bethesda with a .190 batting average, two home runs and 23 RBIs in 27 appearances. The Loveland, Ohio, native played in one game during Maryland’s 2026 campaign, recording a hit in his only at-bat of the season.

Left-handed pitcher Tanner Kaler (George Mason) headlines the returners on the mound. Kaler appeared in 10 games last season for the Big Train. With his 16.0 innings on the Povich Field mound, Kaler produced a 4.50 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with 19 strikeouts. The Concord, North Carolina, native had 11 appearances and 20 strikeouts in 15.0 innings pitched during the college season.

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) returns from a rotator cuff impingement, which limited him to no appearances for the Penguins in the spring. Capuano made seven appearances with the Big Train in 2025, striking out 12 in 12.0 innings.

“I really enjoyed just meeting the new guys, and then also seeing the old faces as well,” Capuano said. “Obviously, every time you come and you step here, your goal is to win.”

After not playing in Bethesda last season, Aden Ritenour (Shepherd) returns. Ritenour spent the summers of 2023 and 2024 in Bethesda. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native produced a 3.44 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 18.1 innings pitched during 13 appearances in 2024.

The pitching staff will have to fill the shoes of the departures of left-handed pitchers Adekide Adetuyi and Drew Bellis from last season. Adetuyi produced a 0.31 ERA — the second-best ERA in Ripken League history — 0.83 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 29.0 innings pitched. Bellis was named Most Outstanding Pitcher last season after racking up a league-record 61 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched.

Now, a crop of 15 new pitchers looks to help the Big Train keep zeros on the opposing team’s scoreboard.

“They're going to have great summers,” Colangelo said. “I tell them every summer, pitchers are going to have that one bad outing. For pitchers learning how to pitch, not throw, and being uncomfortable before you're comfortable is going to go a long way.”

Right-handed pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) made 24 appearances for the Owls in the spring. Right-handed pitcher Aiden Parker (George Mason) produced 21 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched for the Patriots. Left-handed pitcher Talin Gardini (St. Mary’s) produced a 1.58 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in the spring, while left-handed pitcher Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky) produced 32 strikeouts in 32.0 innings pitched.

Kyzer Smith by Matthew Lewyn

“This is actually my first time ever doing a legit summer ball,” Smith said. “I usually go home and train in a league back at home. I actually am absolutely loving it.”

Povich Field will also see new faces at the plate this upcoming season, as 10 new position players will spend their summer with the Big Train.

Infielder Julius Bagnerise (George Mason) produced a 0.265 batting average and 0.758 OPS with the Patriots. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native also generated three home runs, 41 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 51 games played during the college season.

“It’s great, just being with the kids, they are from all around the country,” Bagnersie said. “Being in a winning environment, and we’re just trying to keep it going. Keep the winning streak alive.”

Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) and outfielder Jackson Mizra (South Florida) will also be names to watch after strong collegiate seasons. Gramesty appeared in 35 games, providing a 0.239 batting average and 13 RBIs for the Owls. Mizra was ranked as the 54th-best outfielder coming out of Tampa, Florida, and produced a 0.356 batting average, one home run and 10 RBIs on 64 plate appearances in his freshman season.

Jackson Mirza by Matthew Lewyn

Opening Night will take place Tuesday, with the Big Train facing the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. Bethesda took the season series last year after winning four out of five games the pair played. Silver Spring-Takoma finished the 2025 regular season with a 14-19 record. Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.

“I think we have some great talent here on this team, on this ball club,” Colangelo said. “The way they swung the bat, the way they carry themselves, the way they play the game the right way … I think it's going to be a special summer for sure.”