Shaky Start Brings Big Train Record to 3-2

Box Score

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train struggled to get the bats going Friday night as it fell 8-1 to the Southern Maryland Senators.

The Big Train were held scoreless through seven innings, only recording four hits before finally breaking through on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly from Jack Guerrero (James Madison) that brought home Carter Newman (Virginia Tech).

“They’re pitching’s nothing that we can’t handle, and we just didn’t make the adjustments when we needed to,” said Manager Sal Colangelo, whose team dropped a second straight game after winning its first three.

The Senators scored early and often, as they put up seven runs in the first four innings. RHP Brandon Cassedy (Christopher Newport) came in for relief in the fourth, striking out two in his two innings of work. But the lead was too much to overcome. Colangelo was optimistic the team would be able to rebound.

“We just got to come out there with energy, you know, come out there with a better two-strike approach. We’ll be okay,” said Colangelo.

The rest of the game saw the Big Train pitching tighten up. The three ensuing relief pitchers tossed nine strikeouts while only giving up one run.

When speaking about the debuting relief pitcher Jansen Kenty (Alabama), Colangelo mentioned, “He’s going to be in the rotation this week.”

Kenty looked comfortable on the mound in his first game for the Big Train. Pitching only one inning, the reliever out of Tuscaloosa struck out the first two batters he faced.

“I felt great, glad to be here. I’m ready to keep going and get to work,” Kenty stated. “I worked on the fastball, also the off-speed, trying to get better with all three pitches throughout the summer.”

The Crimson Tide sophomore has only been in Bethesda for a few days but was already feeling at home with his new team.

“The guys are great, the coaches are great, I’m ready to keep it going this summer,” said Kenty.

The Big Train next take on the D.C. Grays on the road at PG Community College. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. You can watch on the Big Train Sports Network on YouTube.

Live Broadcast

Notes: On a gorgeous Friday night, 679 fans packed Shirley Povich Field for a game that lasted 2 hours and 53 minutes… The first 50 fans received a $5 gift certificate to Central Farm Markets... Members of the Capital Classics Quartet entertained fans with a pre-game concert at the pavilion and sang our National Anthem and Take Me Out To The Ballgame... Keyote, the mascot of the Fredrick Keys, was around interacting with fans... 7 Locks Brewing was tonight’s local brewery partner. Our community hero of the night was EveryMind. BCC All-Stars were the youth team of the night, with coach Steve Coppolino throwing out a ceremonial first pitch and  the players taking the field with the Big Train for the National Anthem. Mitch Berliner tossed out an Elephant Garlic first pitch on behalf of Central Farm Market. Others taking part in the first pitch ceremony included Keyote, Ann Mazur of EveryMind, and, from our game night sponsors, Sam Werfel for Koa Sports and Rachel Lubin for Roda.