Preview: Big Train Prepares for Busy Third Week of Ripken League Play

The Bethesda Big Train stands for the national anthem during the game against the DC Grays at Robert J. Talbot Field on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Severe weather and rain stopped the Ripken League to a halt during the second week of games. The Bethesda Big Train only finished four games this week, however, the Big Train made the most out of their opportunities.

Ending last week with a 20-13 victory over the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts June 7, Bethesda was riding a four-game win streak into Monday before losing to the Metro South County Braves 15-6. The Big Train started Tuesday with an 11-4 victory at the Olney Cropdusters before rattling off wins against the Gaithersburg Giants (11-5) and Thunderbolts (14-3) Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Here’s what to look for in the Big Train’s upcoming games this week:

Tuesday, June 16: at D.C. Grays

The Big Train starts the week with a matchup against the Grays for the first time this season. D.C. has started the season with a 3-7 overall record, which stands at fourth in the South Division. The Grays picked up a win against the Braves last week and are now riding a two-game losing streak.

D.C. has produced the least amount of runs in Ripken League play, but is led offensively by infielder Joey Chitla. He owns a .379 batting average, the 14th best mark in the Ripken League play among qualified hitters, and six stolen bases. Jackson Stallworth and Parker Shenman have both hit a team-high one home run.

Right-handed pitcher Chris Fortunato has pitched a team-high 10.1 innings, while left-hander Noah Bagby has a team-high nine strikeouts.

First pitch at Robert J. Talbot Field at Catholic University is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, June 17: vs. Olney Cropdusters (Montgomery Cup)

The Big Train owns a 1-1 record against the Cropdusters, with one game suspended in the top of the seventh innings with Bethesda leading 6-5. The Big Train’s North Division foe has compiled a 6-4 record this season and was on a four-game win streak before a loss to the Senators.

Infielder Ryan Bouma has produced a team-high .381 batting average. Infielder Logan Barratta has compiled a team-leading 12 RBIs. Baratta, along with four other Cropdusters, has hit one home run this season. He is also tied for team lead with five stolen bases. Right-handed pitcher Marco Levari has a team-high 9.0 innings pitched, while right-hander Sean McCabe and Levari lead Olney with nine strikeouts.

First pitch at Shirley Povich Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 18: at Southern Maryland Senators

The Big Train hosted the Senators at Shirley Povich Field early on in the season, falling in a hard-fought 6-5 loss. The second of the four total matchups between the two teams is set to pit two of the hardest-hitting teams in the league against one another, as the Senators have recorded a league-second-best six home runs this season.

Outfielder James Carlson currently leads the league with three home runs, including 10 RBIs, and third baseman Chase Fulford is joint-first in the league in bases stolen with six. Right-handed pitcher Yenli Nolasco leads the pitchers with nine innings pitched, and left-hander Bryce Palms leads the team with 10 strikeouts through 7.1 innings pitched. 

First pitch at North Point High School is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Friday, June 19: vs. Gaithersburg Giants (Montgomery Cup)

The Giants enter the third week of Ripken League play with a 6-4 record, defeating the Grays 13-1 Monday. After starting most of the season in first place in the North Division, Gaithersburg now sits tied for first with the Cropdusters. The Big Train and Giants have split the season, with Bethesda coming out as 5-3 victors in the pair's last matchup.

Infielder Ayden Phillips is second in the Ripken League with 14 RBIs, while also leading the Giants with a .469 batting average. Infielder Cole McKenna, outfielder Breyden Ruiz-Weiss, and infielder Marcus Martin are the only Gaithersburg players with a home run this season. On the mound, right-handed pitcher Jake Yeager has thrown 10.0 innings, which is the third-best mark in the league this season. Yeager also has a team-high 14 strikeouts. 

First pitch at Shirley Povich Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 20: at Metro South County Braves (Double Header)

The first matchup between the Big Train and the Braves was originally scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, but was postponed due to inclement weather and instead took place on Monday, June 15. Bethesda fell in a 15-6 defeat. 

The Braves currently sit third in the league in hits with 88 and a .287 team batting average. However, the team has hit a league-low two home runs, hit by outfielder Matt Wright and catcher James Robinson. Infielder Robert Kelly leads the team in hits with 13, while infielder Alejandro Vazquez leads the batting average, among qualified hitters, at .444.

The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m., while first pitch in the second game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: vs. Gaithersburg Giants (Montgomery Cup)

The Big Train will try to pick up another win Sunday and try to lead its season-long series against the Giants. Gaithersburg ranks second in the Ripken League with 88 runs scored, seven runs in front of the Big Train. The Giants have the best team ERA at 5.16 this season.

First pitch at Shirley Povich Field is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Tickets for any Bethesda game at Povich Field can be purchased on the Big Train website.