News

Big Train Defeats Express 4-3

06/12/2015 10:55 PM

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Tim Yandel (Tulane) went eight strong innings for the win

The Big Train rebounded from their first loss of the season and defeated the Rockville Express on the road for the second time this week. With the 4-3 victory, the Big Train moves to 7-1 on the season and remains atop the South division.

Right-handed starter Tim Yandel (Tulane) was dominant for Bethesda, tossing eight innings scattering seven hits and two earned runs while walking none and striking out seven in a cool 82 pitches for the win. Southpaw Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) came in to close out the ninth inning, earning the save while giving up no hits, walking one, and striking out one.

The Big Train scored twice in the first inning on a double by second baseman Brandon Hunley (Sacramento State), scoring Cody Brown (Mississippi State) and Matt Toscano (St. Mary's College (CA)), who each walked to begin the frame. The Express scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut their deficit in half. In the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Ryne Willard (NC State) scored on a bases-loaded, one out groundball by catcher Tony DiLeo (Eastern Michigan). The Big Train added another in the seventh on a second RBI double by Hunley, scoring Toscano to make it a 4-1 game. The Express put up two more runs in the bottom of the eighth but could not tie the game, largely due to a heads-up defensive play by rightfielder Cody Brown (Mississippi State) to nab the Express leadoff hitter heading back to first base after hitting a single, stifling the rally.

With two doubles, Brandon Hunley (Sacramento State) drove in three of the Big Train's four runs on the night. He also walked and stole second base. Leadoff man Cody Brown (Mississippi State) went 1 for 2 with three walks and a stolen base as well.

Notes: Four members of the Big Train (Brown, Toscano, Hunley, and Willard) reached base three times or more...The Big Train executed a double steal in the fourth inning, with Hunley swiping third and Willard second...Righty Alex Calvert (South Carolina), typically a pitcher for the Big Train, served as the designated hitter tonight and collected a base hit...The Big Train takes on the SS-T T-Bolts tomorrow, Homer's Birthday, an evening-night double header at Povich Field. The games will be seven innings each. Game 1 is at 5PM; Game 2 is at 7:30PM. The Big Train are back at Povich Field Sunday night, Maryland Pride Night, for a 7:30PM division matchup against the FCA Herndon Braves.