Williamson Grand Slam Boosts Big Train to 8-7 Win Over Thunderbolts
SILVER SPRING, Md. — On Sunday night, the Big Train traveled to the Thunderbolts where it won, 8-7 at Montgomery Blair High School. With the win, the Big Train clinched a playoff game at Shirley Povich Field on Saturday, July 20.
“I thought we battled well, it's kind of a testament to the theme of this year,” said Davin Whitaker (East Carolina).
Big Train celebrating the win on the field (Esther Frances)
Bethesda made its presence known early as Justin Nadeau (Florida) scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly from Whitaker. Starting pitcher Sam Mitchell (Alabama) maintained the lead, holding the Thunderbolts scoreless in the bottom of the first.
The Thunderbolts answered, taking a 7-2 lead into the eighth inning. However, the Big Train put up five runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at seven.
It started with a single from Whitaker. The Big Train subsequently loaded the bases, and Matthew Westley (Virginia Tech) walked to bring Whitaker home for a run, 7-3.
With the bases still loaded, Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) stepped up to the plate. Williamson took full advantage. He hit a laser to right field that soared over the fence for a grand slam.
“We had to come back from a big deficit, showed a lot of heart and a lot of fight,” said Williamson. “I felt really good, I didn’t know [the grand slam] tied the game up…I’m thankful.”
Williamson up to bat with the bases loaded (Esther Frances)
Williamson is the league leader in batting average, second in home runs with eight behind the Senators' Carter Groen, and tied for first in RBIs with the Aces' Jamie Quin-Irons.
With the game tied in the ninth inning, Whitaker walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and raced home with the go-ahead run on a passed ball.
“I knew once I got on base I was a big run because I was the winning run,” said Whitaker. “I was anticipating a dirt ball…I saw it kick a little bit, I took the risk and it fell in my favor.”
Whitaker celebrating on his way back to the dug-out after stealing home (Esther Frances)
This allowed Bethesda to take the lead putting it in a position to take the game from Silver Spring-Takoma, 8-7.
Pitcher Max Martzolf (Florida Atlatic) entered the game in the eighth inning with the score tied. Martzolf recorded four strikeouts and went three up, three down in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
“When I saw the swings and the misses I said ‘yeah I’m just gonna keep pounding the zone with the fastball and let my ball do the work,’” said Martzolf.
The Big Train is back on the road again Monday night to face the Metro SOCO Braves at South County High School in Lorton, VA with first pitch re-scheduled for 8 p.m. because of the heat. If you are unable to join us, tune into the broadcast to stay up to date.