Ponnett Powers Big Train past Cropdusters in 11-4 Win

OLNEY, MD - JUNE 9: Logan Ponnett #6 of the Bethesda Big Train swings his bat during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field at OBGC Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Olney, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

BETHESDA, Md. – The Big Train made the trip to First Responders Field at OBGC Park, home of the Olney Cropdusters, to open up the second week of Cal Ripken Sr. League play on Tuesday, June 9. Bethesda and Olney have faced off twice already this season, as the Big Train could not capitalize on a 10-hit game in a 13-7 loss away from home, but led the Cropdusters 6-5 at Shirley Povich Field before the game was suspended at the top of the seventh inning. 

Left-handed pitcher Alan Soler (University of Central Florida) made his debut for the Big Train Tuesday night, pitching 49 pitches in three innings for 25 strikes, two strikeouts and two hits.

First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) got the Big Train going with one out in the second inning by fighting to stay alive, hitting seven foul balls on 10 pitches before firing a ball into the left field gap for the first hit of the day. Bethesda was unable to bring him home.

Soler got into the game early, walking two batters and not allowing a hit in the first inning before finding himself staring down runners at first and third base at the bottom of the second inning with one out. 

The Miami, Florida native recovered, throwing out the next batter before forcing a fly out and ending the inning with both teams deadlocked at zero. 

That score did not last much longer, as catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) opened the third inning with a single. Outfielder Ryan Foscolo (University of Kentucky) followed it up with a fielder’s choice to the second baseman, getting Gramesty out but beating the throw to first. Foscolo then advanced to second base on a wild pitch and stole third base, coming home thanks to a sac fly from infielder Cal Johnson (University of Maryland) to put the Big Train up 1-0.

The early lead wouldn’t last as the Cropdusters responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Bethesda kept the bats hot in the top of the fourth inning, as infielder Logan Ponnett (Gaston College) started the Big Train off with a single into left field. Shortstop Daniel Machado (Florida Atlantic University) followed him up with a deep shot into center field for a double, before back-to-back sac flies brought both runners home to put Bethesda ahead 3-1.

To relieve Soler, right-handed pitcher Nathan Wines (East Carolina University) stepped on the mound for the Big Train in the bottom of the fourth inning. He allowed one hit into right field, but followed it up with two fly outs and a ground out to get out of the inning unscathed.

OLNEY, MD - JUNE 9: Emilio Gonzalez #45 of the Bethesda Big Train swings his bat during the game against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field at OBGC Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Olney, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

The Big Train piled on to their lead in the top of the fifth inning, starting off with outfielder Jackson Mirza (University of South Florida) walking on four pitches. Mirza was thrown out trying to steal second, and Johnson’s fly out put Bethesda on two outs and no runners on base. 

However, the hitting exploded for the Big Train after that, as infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama) singled into left field and Ponnett made quick work of his at-bat, crushing a ball 367 feet for a home run and a 5-1 lead for Bethesda. 

“I got the heater, 1-0 [count], and hit it all right,” Ponnett said. “Finally got to hit a homer, [it] felt pretty good.”

Machado remained patient for a five-pitch walk, setting the table for Gonzalez to bring him home on a double off the center field wall to extend the lead to 6-1. Outfielder Will Haacke (James Madison University) snuck a single past the first baseman in the next at-bat, bringing Gonzalez home for a 7-1 lead. Foscolo brought in the last run of the inning, blasting a single into right field to bring Haacke home and head into the bottom of the fifth inning at 8-2 in favor of Bethesda. 

Olney cut into the lead with a sac fly at the bottom of the fifth inning, but Bethesda remained patient in the top of the sixth, staring down five walks as Wright and Ponnett scored to return the lead to eight runs at 10-2 for the Big Train.

Both teams traded runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh, keeping the eight-run cushion with an 11-3 score.. Right-handed pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic University) came in to relieve Wines partway through the sixth inning, ending Wines’ night at 49 pitches through 2.1 innings, including 26 strikes and three strikeouts.

Smith came into the game and lit up the strikezone, recording two strikeouts and a fly out in his first three batters faced. He also escaped a bases-loaded situation with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, only allowing one run to seal the 11-4 victory for Bethesda. Smith ended Tuesday night with 38 pitches through 1.2 innings for 22 strikes and three strikeouts.

The right hander Zachary Malvasio (University of Central Florida) came in at the bottom of the eighth inning and cleaned up the game, pitching the final two innings for 47 pitches, 20 strikes, one strikeout and only one hit.

“To make it two wins in a row is definitely a good thing,” Ponnett said.

The Big Train return to action Wednesday night at Shirley Povich Field for the first matchup of the season against the Metro South County Braves for University of Maryland Night. Bethesda is proud to host the legendary broadcaster Johnny Holliday, as well as the Wood Acres Elementary School Chorus, who will be performing at 6:20 p.m.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.