Big Train clicks defensively, shutting out Senators, 6-0

BOXSCORE

WALDORF, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train earned its first shutout of the season with a 6-0 road win over the Southern Maryland Senators on Monday night at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. All five Big Train pitchers who made an appearance were accurate and efficient, never letting the Senators reach third base.

Jake Villar (Santa Barbara CC) got the start and recorded the longest appearance of any Big Train pitcher this season with five innings. He threw seven strikeouts and only allowed three hits. He thwarted any inkling of momentum the Senators could muster with those hits, however, recording an out immediately following each one.

“He kept them off balance,” manager Sal Colangelo said. “He threw strikes, came right after them, and they didn’t have an answer. And they’re a pretty good hitting team.”

The bullpen didn’t miss a beat when Villar left the mound. Reliever Jackson Baker (Alabama) picked up right where Villar left off, setting down the side in order. Aidan Kelly (Jacksonville) took over in the seventh inning and struck out three. Jack Robinson (Roanoke) and Max Martzolf (Tulane) pitched the eighth and ninth inning, respectively, facing the minimum batters and completing the shutout.

While all five pitchers put the Big Train in position to win, the rest of the defense stepped up behind them to seal the deal.

“Coach Sal challenged us a couple days ago just to compete on the mound and to make plays behind them,” shortstop Landon Franklin (Kentucky) said. “I feel like we answered the past couple games and really focused on just making the routine plays.”

On the other side of the ball, Franklin started his night with a bang, blasting his first home run of the season in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. He went two-for-three on the night, adding a walk and single later in the game.

“I knew I got it pretty good,” Franklin said of his long ball. “It was a hanging breaking ball, and those breaking balls go pretty far, so off the bat I was like ‘I hope it’s gone.’”

The offense picked back up in the third inning, scoring three runs on three hits and two walks. Two-way player Ariston Veasey (Alabama) who made his first appearance as a batter, hit an RBI single. Catcher Luca Perriello (Virginia Tech) brought in another run with a deep sacrifice fly and left fielder Jaden Bastian added more assurance with an RBI single.

“It’s always great to have run support,” Villar said. “You love when your guys are behind you. I know they’re supporting me every game.”

Big Train players stepped up and supported their pitchers both at the plate and in the field, leading to a complete team win. With an off day Tuesday, the Big Train will look to keep the win streak going Wednesday as it begins a four-game homestand. First pitch is 7 p.m.

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