Big Train Players Entering Playoffs with Energy and Confidence

Big Train players celebrating a walk-off win (Esther Frances)

For the few Big Train players who were on the team last year, the memory of winning the Cal Ripken Sr. League Championship is fresh on their minds as of late. Almost a year later, this year’s Big Train team is entering the playoffs with the same goal. The three-seeded Big Train takes on the sixth-seeded Braves tonight, beginning the Big Train’s quest for a repeat championship.

“We’re feeling confident,” said pitcher Max Martzolf (Florida Atlantic), one of last year’s Big Train champions. “I know we have the support of fans here on Saturday, and I know we have the team to win a championship and go back to back.”

Winning its last four games of the regular season, the Big Train seems to be chugging along smoothly into the postseason. The Big Train faced some rough stretches throughout the season, but the players remained focused on their fundamentals. Lately, it’s been paying off.

“We’re feeling really good about the playoffs,” pitcher Joey Wimpelberg (Central Florida) said. “I feel like our team is hitting our stride, and we wanna go show that we belong here.”

Last season, the Big Train secured the two seed to earn a first round bye into the semi-final round and got hot at exactly the right moment to capture the championship. This year, the Big Train won’t have that luxury, playing a must-win play-in game tonight against the Metro SOCO Braves. The players are excited for the opportunity, especially getting to play in front of their home crowd.

“We’re entering the playoffs with some energy,” center fielder Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) said. “We gotta play loose and have fun. I’m excited to get going and experience the playoff environment.”