News

Big Train Split Double Header; Gear Up For Playoffs

07/25/2014 8:47 PM

By:David Schneider

The team celebrates around Chris Lewis after his walk off hit.

BOX SCORES: Game 1: L, 5-3 | Game 2: W, 4-3

On Friday, the Bethesda Big Train (31-8) played a double header against the Vienna River Dogs (17-21). In the first game, the Big Train was the away team because it was a make-up from a rain out, and in the second game, the Big Train was home.

Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) took the mound in the first game and allowed two runs on two hits in the 5-3 loss. Devon Loomis (San Francisco) started the second half of the double header and tossed three innings of three hit and three run ball in the 4-3 win.

The first game of the double header, the Big Train lost 5-3. The game was highlighted by back-to-back doubles by Chris Lewis (Sacramento State) and Kevin Tatum (Cornell) that scored two runs in the 4th inning.

In the second game, it only took until the bottom of the 1st for the Big Train to garner a run and go ahead 1-0. Wes Rea (Mississippi State) smoked a ball up the middle to score Logan Farrar (Virginia Commonwealth) who walked to reach base.

Ryne Willard (N.C. State) hit a solo shot to deep left field in the 4th inning to cut the River Dogs lead to one run, 3-2.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Big Train made it interesting. Cody Manzella (High Point) hit a triple in the right-center field gap and on a throwing error, he was able to get home to tie the ballgame going into the final inning.

The Big Train were walk off winners in the second game, coming from behind in the bottom of the 6th to tie the game and win in the bottom of the 7th.

In the bottom of the 7th, Chris Lewis singled between the shortstop and third baseman to knock in the winning run. The team charged the field, pouring water on Lewis, as the crowd of over 900 cheered on.

The Big Train fought hard in the two games, splitting the series, even though they already clinched the playoffs. Because Bethesda had already secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Big Train gave some of their key players rest to assure that they will be ready come playoff time.

Just as the players need to be ready for playoff baseball, we need the fans to do so too. The players will be working hard to bring a championship to Bethesda and hope to do so in front of large capacity crowds. We want fans to come out in full force with your game faces, ready to cheer on the home team!