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“It feels good to be back on the winning side and everything,” starting pitcher Tyler Smith (East Carolina) said.

Smith turned in a masterful performance on the mound. The Pilot Mountain, NC went four innings giving up two hits and striking out three. The outing also dropped Smith’s ERA to 3.66, down from 4.60 entering the contest.

“I knew sooner or later we’d get some runs on the board," Smith said of the Big Train offense. "So when they put that one up I was just going to go out there and empty the tank like coach always says.”

John Murphy (Maryland) was also stellar on the mound in relief. He went two innings striking out four while giving up only one hit.  Murphy was the scheduled starter in Thursday night’s game against the Dodgers that was rained out.

“He was lights out,” manager Sal Colangelo said. “Trying to get him ready for the All-Star game so he can really showcase his talents.”

Logan Driscoll (George Mason) boosted the Big Train offense in a big way Friday night.  The sophomore was 4-for-4 with a solo home run in the top of the eighth, his sixth of the year. The homer now puts Driscoll in sole possession of second-place in the league home run race behind only teammate James Outman (Sacramento State) at nine.

“When he’s on we’re all on,” Colangelo said of Driscoll. “And I’m glad he’s on more than not.”

Jordan Sergent (High Point) and Kirk Sidwell (Stetson) also came up big at the plate Friday. Sergent, who played the last two summers with the Vienna River Dogs and arrived Wednesday, hit a grand slam in his second at bat of the season, while Sidwell finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

“I kind of felt he was going to groove one,” Sergent said.  “And he put it right on the outer half of the plate and just went with the pitch so took it right over about 360 to left-center.”

The Big Train will be back in action Saturday at home against the Rockville Express. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Shirley Povich Field. Come celebrate Pajama Night at the park. Wear pajamas and receive free entry.

“Just the same,” Colangelo said of what he hopes for from the team Saturday. “Good approaches at the plate, get after them with command and have some fun.”