Big Train Run Rules Braves, 16-4, to Advance to Playoff Semifinals

Jaden Bastian and Justin Nadeau celebrating (Esther Frances)

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train is moving on to the Cal Ripken Sr. League Semifinals after a massive, 16-4, victory over the Metro SOCO Braves on Saturday night in the play-in game. Center fielder Andrew Williamson (Central Florida) called game in the eighth inning with a three-run, walk-off homer to secure the run-rule win.

“We came ready to play,” Williamson said. “Our first couple runs in the beginning were from a lot of big hits. Definitely a lot of clutch hitting whenever needed. Guys were on base, and we were able to do our job and get them in.”

With two outs in the second inning, left fielder Jaden Bastian (Jacksonville) walked, giving the Big Train its first base runner of the game. That’s all the Big Train needed to start an offensive onslaught. Three straight hits, including a two-RBI double from catcher Luke Vaughn (Alabama), brought in three runs for the Big Train. Second baseman Justin Nadeau (Florida) capped off the big inning with a two-run homer to right, giving the Big Train an early 5-0 lead.

In every inning thereafter, the Big Train got multiple runners on base, creating consistent scoring opportunities. Vaughn reached base in all five of his at bats, recording three hits, two walks, and three RBIs. Nadeau followed up his home run with a hit-by-pitch and two infield singles, scoring four runs on the day.

“Definitely takes a huge weight off the shoulders knowing you have a couple of runs to play around with,” starting pitcher Joey Wimpelberg (Central Florida) said.

Joey Wimpelberg (Esther Frances)

Wimpelberg had plenty of cushion, but he certainly didn’t play around with giving up runs. Through six innings, Wimpelberg only allowed two hits, one walk, and one run. He dominated the Braves, keeping his team squarely in the lead.

“I felt like my cutter and off speed and fast ball were there for me when I needed it,” Wimpelberg said. “In the first and second inning, I was trying to do too much with the sinker and everything, so I kind of went away from that to just pound the zone with my fastball and cutter.”

Wimpelberg and the early offensive action put the game essentially out of reach by the eighth inning, but Williamson couldn’t go a full game at the plate without some fireworks.

“I was struggling at the plate, definitely, had to go through a battle,” Williamson said. “They threw a lot of good arms today, but I was able to pounce on a pitch.”

Williamson’s three-run homer ended the game in run-rule fashion, sending the Big Train on the road to face the Gaithersburg Giants Sunday for the start of a best-of-three semifinal series. First pitch is at 7 p.m. If you can’t join us in person, catch the broadcast here. The Big Train will face the Giants at Shirley Povich Field on Monday. Buy tickets here!

Notes: On Saturday night, 486 fans attended the Big Train’s play-in game that lasted two hours and 58 minutes.… Coach Bob O’Conor, long-time Damascus HS and Montgomery College baseball coach in his sixth year with the Big Train, threw out a ceremonial first pitch in honor of his retirement following this season. Big Train Founder Bruce Adams presented O’Conor with a Randy Schools Big Train Outstanding Service Award…. Maryland Delegate Marc Korman’s daughter Abby and Montgomery County Sports Hall of Famer Bob Milloy, the winningest football coach in Maryland high school history with 405 career wins and eight state championships, also threw first pitches.… Three time Olympian and a 1996 Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes had her son Lincoln throw a pregame perfect strike She was born and raised in Montgomery County and founded the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy in Rockville & Clarksburg. She was part of the inaugural class of MC Sports Hall of Fame with our namesake Walter Johnson. Her sculpture unveiling is Tuesday July 23 at noon at the new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center.… Interns Robert Hsu, Owen Meyer, and Liam Wagner threw first pitches in honor of their fifth year volunteering with the Big Train.