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Big Train Throw Near No-Hitter in Rout of Dodgers

07/16/2015 9:48 PM

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Chris Lewis launched his league-leading fifth homer Thursday night in the team's rout of the Dodgers.

The Bethesda Big Train routed the Baltimore Dodgers 10-1 as the pitching staff combined to throw a one-hitter along with the team tallying 15 hits Thursday night at Joe Cannon Stadium.

Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) started the pitching dominance for the Big Train by striking out seven of the 13 batters he faced, while only allowing one base runner on a walk through the four innings he lasted.

Alex Calvert (University of South Carolina) picked up right where Collazo left off, as he struck out three of the six batters he faced in two innings of work. Blake Smith (Mississippi State University) built off Calvert and Collazo's momentum by striking out the side, although he did allow one base runner by hitting a batter.

Josh Thorne (Stetson University) would step in for Smith and record three quick outs in the eighth inning to take the Big Train combined no-hitter into the ninth inning.

Unfortunately, Brock Larson (University of San Francisco) would allow a hit to Colin Dyer with no outs in the ninth to end the no-hitter, but that was the only hit the Big Train allowed all evening.

The success of the Big Train pitching staff should not overshadow the team’s lineup, however, as the team scored hit after hit to eventually build a ten run lead.

Brandon Hunley (Sacramento State University) scored in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Zach Kirtley (St. Mary’s College (CA)). In the third inning, Chris Lewis (Sacramento State University) launched a homer with Kirtley on base to extend the Big Train lead to 3-0. Then in the fourth inning, Justin Morris (University of Maryland) made it home on a passed ball to extend the rout.

The onslaught would not end from there, as in the sixth inning the Dodgers allowed a walk with the bases loaded that sent Tony DiLeo (Eastern Michigan University) home. The Dodgers allowed another run off the next batter, Lewis, as the Dodgers shortstop committed an error.

As if a 6-0 lead weren’t enough, Kirtley hit a double in the ninth inning to bring in the third and fourth runs of the inning and extend the team’s lead to 10-0.

Notes: Lewis hit his fifth homer of the year tonight, which ties him for the lead amongst players in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League… Lewis also leads the league in RBI, a lead he extended with three RBI against the Dodgers… Big Train return home Saturday for a matchup against the Alexandria Aces, gates open at 6:00 first pitch at 7:30.