Staff
Front Office
Sal Colangelo
Raquel Ordonez
Raquel Ordonez is the Director of Operations for the Bethesda Big Train, bringing a strong background in sports administration, marketing, and a deep passion for the sports world. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Raquel holds a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Salisbury University.
Raquel Ordonez is the Director of Operations for the Bethesda Big Train, bringing a strong background in sports administration, marketing, and a deep passion for the sports world. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Raquel holds a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Salisbury University.
A sports fanatic and lifelong Baltimore sports fan, Raquel has dedicated her career to creating more inclusive and accessible spaces for women in sports. She is deeply committed to expanding opportunities for youth and women in the industry and supporting initiatives that foster greater representation and leadership for diversity and inclusion both on and off the field. Whether through mentorship or community outreach, she seeks to empower the next generation of leaders in the sports industry.
Raquel’s professional journey has included a diverse range of experiences in operations, marketing, and event management, which have shaped her dynamic approach to team leadership and strategic planning. At Bethesda Big Train, she is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, ensuring the success of events, and driving the growth of the organization through innovative initiatives.
In her free time, she enjoys attending as many sporting events as she can, traveling and exploring new places.
Lena Valenzuela
Lena Valenzuela is a sophomore at Saint Mary’s College of California studying Sports Management and Business Administration. She’s from Clayton, CA and grew up around the baseball field, which led her to managing her high school teams all four years before becoming a student manager for the SMC baseball team. Outside of sports, Lena also has a passion for music, as she sings and plays guitar. This summer, she is excited to gain more hands-on experience working with the team and hopes to build meaningful connections within the Bethesda community. Go Big Train!
Jason Mollica
Jason Mollica is a strategic communication pro with over 25 years of experience across TV, radio, sports, and public relations. He’s covered everything from the World Series to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as leading coverage of major national news events like the 2003 East Coast blackout and 2004 presidential election. Jason has worked with the Philadelphia Phillies, aiding in their hosting of the 1996 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. He was the public address announcer and on-field host for the Buffalo Bisons, during which time he announced the 25th annual Triple A All-Star Game.
Jason Mollica is a strategic communication pro with over 25 years of experience across TV, radio, sports, and public relations. He’s covered everything from the World Series to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as leading coverage of major national news events like the 2003 East Coast blackout and 2004 presidential election. Jason has worked with the Philadelphia Phillies, aiding in their hosting of the 1996 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. He was the public address announcer and on-field host for the Buffalo Bisons, during which time he announced the 25th annual Triple A All-Star Game.
In public relations, Jason has supported clients across industries—from healthcare to tourism to nonprofits—building crisis plans and leading social media training for all levels of staff and constituents. He was honored with a Hermes Gold Award for his work on “The Secrets of Power Pitching”, earned an Emmy nomination, and is frequently featured in the media for his insights on social media, sports marketing, and crisis communication.
Jason is currently a lecturer at James Madison University in the School of Communication Studies, where he coordinates the Sports Communication minor. Previously, he taught at American University and led the development of a digital media analytics course sequence in partnership with industry leader, Meltwater.
Jason earned his B.A. from Temple University and his M.S. from Purdue University.
Coaching Staff
Sal Colangelo
Sal Colangelo brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to his 26th season with Bethesda Big Train. In 2005, he led the Big Train to a Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate League Regular Season Championship in his first year as manager. His team also finished first in the regular season in 2006.
Sal Colangelo brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to his 26th season with Bethesda Big Train. In 2005, he led the Big Train to a Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate League Regular Season Championship in his first year as manager. His team also finished first in the regular season in 2006.
From 2009-2011, Colangelo led the Big Train to a threepeat of Cal Ripken Collegiate League Championships. In addition, the Big Train was ranked the No. 1 summer collegiate team in the country (out of more than 350 teams) by Perfect Game USA. He was named Maryland State Amateur Coach of the Year by the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches (MSABC) for leading the Big Train to the 2011 National Championship. Colangelo won five consecutive CRCBL titles from 2016-2021, and in 2018 led Big Train to a franchise-record 34 regular season wins and a league-record .850 winning percentage. His teams also won the 2023 and 2024 CRCBL Championships. The CRCBL did not play in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
His record-setting season earned him the 2018 MSABC Manager of the Year Award. He owns a 531-223 career regular season record and a .704 winning percentage in 18 seasons at the helm of Big Train. Total 605 wins. In total, he has led Big Train to 12 regular season league titles and 11 Cal Ripken League championships. In addition to his top-ranked 2011 team, three other Big Train teams have finished the season ranked in the top ten nationally (2009 - 9th; 2017 - 4th; 2019 - 6th). He is a member of the Cal Ripken League Hall of Fame, and was inducted in 2019 as part of the hall's inaugural class.
Colangelo is a graduate of Potomac High School in Woodbridge, Virginia and is currently the activities director at C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge. Previously, he served as the assistant activities' director, assistant varsity baseball coach, and head golf coach at Potomac High School in Dumfries, Virginia. In addition, he is a baseball instructor at Stars Baseball Regional Director in Prince William County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.
Before taking over as manager, Colangelo served as an assistant coach for Big Train from 1999-2004. From 1995-97, Colangelo served as an assistant baseball coach at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. From 1991-1995, Colangelo played baseball and football for Virginia Tech. Colangelo earned his undergraduate degree from Va tech and a Master's Degree from Johns Hopkins (Administration/Supervision) and the United States Sports Academy ( Athletic Administration).
He lives in Lorton, Virginia, with his wife Alison and their daughters, Emma and Abigail.
Galvin Morris
Coach Galvin Morris returns for his ninth season with the Big Train. He is in his sixth season at his alma mater, South Lakes HS, in Reston, VA as hitting and catching coach, after a five year stint at Oakton HS, where he was the varsity catchers, pitchers and hitting coach. He served as the varsity head coach at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia from 1999-2014, and as an assistant coach at the school for four years prior. Morris was named the 6A Conference 6 Coach of the Year in his final year with the Seahawks. Morris also has coached several summers in the Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League. He serves as a hitting and catching instructor at MVP Baseball in Herndon, VA. Morris works in Special Education at South Lakes and resides in Reston with his daughters, Davilyn and Gracie.
Craig Lopez
Craig Lopez is the Big Train's Pitching Coach since 2019. Coach Lopez previously spent 10 years as the Pitching Coach for the Baltimore Redbirds. He also has worked as a PE teacher in Stafford County Virginia for over 25 years. He has been the Varsity Head Baseball coach for 15 years at Mountain View High School. Craig has over 30 years of coaching experience and encouraging young men and using baseball as an avenue to teach them life skills.
Craig Lopez is the Big Train's Pitching Coach since 2019. Coach Lopez previously spent 10 years as the Pitching Coach for the Baltimore Redbirds. He also has worked as a PE teacher in Stafford County Virginia for over 25 years. He has been the Varsity Head Baseball coach for 15 years at Mountain View High School. Craig has over 30 years of coaching experience and encouraging young men and using baseball as an avenue to teach them life skills.
Coach Lopez is a native of Stafford County. He graduated from Stafford High and went on to play baseball at VCU. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as a pitcher. That experience has helped him to guide many young men to receive baseball scholarships and to be drafted.
Craig lives in Fredericksburg with his wife Terri. They have 2 adult sons, Jacob and Craig, and a daughter Grace.
Joe McIntyre
Joe McIntyre is in his third year with the Big Train. He grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Gonzaga College HS where he played for Churchill HS legend and current head coach at The Catholic University of America, Ross Natoli. After starting his college career at Montgomery College, Joe pitched and played outfield before transferring to Virginia Tech where he played for the Hokies. Following his collegiate career, Joe signed a free agent contract and pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies organization from 1991-1993. Upon retiring from baseball, Joe returned to Montgomery County, where he taught pitching lessons for former Big Train skipper Derek Hacopian. Joe married his college sweetheart Carrie Shannon McIntyre, and is raising his three daughters, Maeve, Maggie, and Bess in Darnestown. “I am excited to get back to baseball, and coach on the same field I grew up on. Sal has put together a winning team and coaching staff year after year. I can’t wait to be a part of the 2024 season”.
Chris Devlin
Chris Devlin rejoins the Bethesda Big Train staff after previously working with the Baltimore Redbirds. Coach Devlin has coaching experience at Calvert Hall High School, where he was also a student athlete and lettered in three sports, and at Essex Community College. Devlin graduated from Rider University where he played baseball and basketball.
Chris Devlin rejoins the Bethesda Big Train staff after previously working with the Baltimore Redbirds. Coach Devlin has coaching experience at Calvert Hall High School, where he was also a student athlete and lettered in three sports, and at Essex Community College. Devlin graduated from Rider University where he played baseball and basketball.
Currently, Coach Devlin owns and operates a small business with his son Chris, Jr., and he is happily married to his wife, Dottie.
Grace Adams
Grace Adams, a rising junior at North Carolina State University from Midlothian, VA, studying Statistics with a focus in Sports Analytics and a minor in Business Administration. At school she serves as a Student Manager for the NC State Wrestling program and a Reporting Analyst for the NC State Baseball program, while also playing on the Women’ Club Rugby Team. This summer she hopes to continue to refine her skills in baseball analytics and can’t think of a better place than with the Big Train family!
Lucas Dropkin
Lucas Dropkin is the bat boy for the Bethesda Big Train. He joined the Big Train during the 2025 season, and he brings energy and a positive attitude to the dugout. Lucas attends Tilden Middle School, where he plays the trumpet and enjoys studying math and history. When he's not retrieving bats and chasing down foul balls, he enjoys watching baseball (Go Padres!), football, and college basketball, and playing baseball with Montgomery County Little League and the Stars baseball program.