Killing you sweetly: sugar substitutes

Killing You Sweetly: Why Sugar Substitutes aren't Worth the Risk     Here's something that will make you want to take your coffee black: sucralose might cause cancer. You probably know sucralose under the brand name Splenda, widely available in those little yellow packets. It's marketed under other names as well, so if you don't know what's in your artificial sweetener, you should check (I recommend avoiding ALL of them).     The risk was uncovered by an Italian laboratory that found the sweetener caused leukemia in mice. I'll tell you a why a risk exists in the first place for this popular sweetener. But — what's most important -- there are plenty of healthy, non-disease-causing sweeteners out there, as long as you know where to look. Discover your options below. . . Continued below... Video of the Week: "Shocking Confessions of a Drug Company Insider"     In this exposé, a top executive of a major pharmaceutical company spills the naked truth about the drugs you and your family take... which drugs heal, and which ones KILL... what doctors turn to when they don't know the cure... what they do when they themselves or their loved ones are stricken with disease or illness... what life-saving resource they insist should be in every home. Watch this must-see video now because your life -- or the life of your loved ones -- may depend on it. The scary truth about Splenda     Most people choose Splenda/sucralose because they've been told it's healthier than sugar. It prompts neither blood sugar nor insulin spikes. The FDA blessed its use as a tabletop sweetener in 1998, and most of the public still believes the FDA.     In 1999, it was approved as a general-purpose sweetener. And it's better than sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium (found in candies and gum , it's also known as Ace K and marketed as Sunett and Sweet One).     Sucralose is a chemically-altered form of sugar. The process is patented, but essentially comes down to inserting chlorine into the sugar molecule. That makes it a chlorocarbon. Unfortunately, chlorocarbons have long been known to cause organ, genetic, and reproductive damage.     Sucralose is also known to shrink the thymus gland by up to 40 percent. Given that the thymus is the foundation of your immune system, shrinkage can lead to many other problems.     To put it bluntly, any creature that eats chlorine risks cancer. It's a known carcinogen as stated in both the Merck Manual and the OSHA Hazardous Waste Handbook. Obviously the risk varies according to the amount you take and how often you take it, but no matter how you look at it, chlorine is still a toxin.     That's why the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently downgraded sucralose to a "caution" rating, as opposed to listing it as safe to consume. The CSPI has reviewed the Italian study and finds it used a superior protocol, even though the study is yet to be published. According to CSPI senior scientist Lisa Lefferts, "That's why we put 'caution' instead of 'avoid.'" A "caution" label means "try to avoid it, we need more testing."     Defenders of sucralose might argue that chlorine embedded in a larger molecule differs from unbound chlorine. But the new studies suggest sucralose is toxic, too. Natural and not-so-natural sugar substitutes     Of course, sugar itself is still a risky beast in the health world, and the daily mass quantities consumed are the main reason for our shockingly high rates of obesity and Type II Diabetes, in my opinion and that of many other researchers. I would love to be wrong — nobody's more fond of cake and pie than I am — but this substance is a killer.     Because of the risks that come from ingesting too much sugar, the CSPI says diet soda—commonly sweetened with aspartame—is still better than sugary-sweet sodas. (I should note here that aspartame has also been linked to cancer in laboratory settings. As I said earlier, there is no good artificial sweetener.)     What can you drink instead? The CSPI urges plain water (know as "still" water), sparkling water, or unsweetened ice tea. Works for me (just don't drink so much tea you disturb your sleep patterns.) The average American consumes an incredible 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, which adds up to 355 calories. If you're on a kick of avoiding GMO foods, be aware that half the white table sugar made in the U.S. is beet sugar made from genetically modified beets. There is life after sugar     In a moment I'll suggest some natural (or mostly natural) sugar substitutes. But first let me pitch you on giving up sugar completely. It CAN be done, and this may actually be easier than trying to cut back or use substitutes.     You see, sugar is an addictive substance. It is the heroin of foods. Thus when you cut back, what happens is that a mere taste of it sets off all the pleasure centers in your brain and you end up going on a binge. You may start with the intention of having a bowl of ice cream but you end up eating the whole quart.     For this reason it's actually easier not to touch it at all rather than wrestle with yourself day and night about whether a little bit will be okay, or whether you can do it "just this once." Don't try to make a decision every day about sugar. Make one big decision and stick to it.     I weaned myself off soft drinks a long time ago, and I take my coffee and tea without sugar. Soft drinks now disgust me. I once spat out a mouthful of Hawaiian Punch, a drink I used to love as a child. I couldn't believe how sweet it was — utterly saturated with sugar. And believe it or not, coffee and tea taste excellent without sugar. For the first time in your life, you'll actually taste the beverage, not the sugar. Now for the "safe" sugar substitutes     If you really can't live without sweetening up your morning cup of Joe, there are better ways. Consider these alternatives: Agave nectar: This is a tiny improvement over cane or beet sugar. Also known as agave syrup, this sweetener comes from the agave plant, a relative of the cactus commonly found in Mexico. Agave nectar can also be extracted from the blue agave, which is the same plant used to make tequila. The syrup is 25 percent sweeter than sugar, which is a pro because you end up using less of it. It also dissolves quickly and contains a prebiotic that nourishes intestinal bacteria. But I wouldn't call it healthy. It has the same amount of calories as table sugar—that's 16 per teaspoon. On the processing scale, agave has to be hydrolyzed down to fructose. That's one more step than honey and one less than high-fructose corn syrup. Stevia: This sweetener comes from the leaves of the South American shrub Stevia rebaudiana. It's between 25 and 30 times sweeter than sugar and has been used for years in Europe, Japan, and South America. Yet stevia isn't as natural as most people want to believe. The stuff is highly processed to remove its natural and slightly bitter aftertaste that smacks of licorice, though some brands don't bother with this, so the slight licorice taste remains. It also gets blended with maltodextrin so it pours like table sugar. It does help you cut calories and avoid blood sugar problems. It's just a question of whether you can stand the taste. Truvia: This one comes from rebiana, which is a compound found in the leaves of stevia. Truvia is trademarked as a "natural" sweetener, but is the brainchild of Coca-Cola and Cargill and is sweetened with erythritol. It doesn't pack any calories, but also doesn't taste much like stevia. Honey: It's a kitchen staple, yet most people don't think of using it when they're looking for a sweetener. But honey packs a concentrated dose of antioxidants. If you buy honey local to your area, it can even help you fight seasonal allergies. Setting aside the nutrients and just considering honey as a sweetener, I doubt if it's much healthier than cane or beet sugar. It still packs calories and raises your blood sugar. Blackstrap molasses: Molasses is a by-product of sugarcane processing and can be used to replace as much as half the sugar in any recipe. It's also a proven way to sweeten everything from coffee to beans. Plus, this black-gold liquid has iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and several antioxidants—more than any other natural sweetener. Again — better than table sugar but not what I'd call healthy.     I think a good rule of thumb is to never eat anything artificial. Real food doesn't have to be tested for unheard-of risks. And while sugar should be consumed in moderation just like everything else, at least consider using these alternatives so you can ingest somewhat fewer calories while you curb your chemical, processed food exposure.

Big Train Come From Behind to Win

Bethesda Hops on Comeback Train, Wins Late in Silver Spring     The Big Train traveled to Blair Stadium on Wednesday night, as they looked to turn things around against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.    However, things would get off to a rough start for Bethesda, as the T-Bolts scored four runs in the first three innings. | Box Score: W, 6-5 Trailing 4-0, the Big Train climbed back into the game in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs. A two-run double by Josh Spano (High Point) would scoreTy France (San Diego State) and Tim Yandel (Tulane) to make it 4-2, before Spano himself scored on a single by Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) to cut the deficit to 4-3. The T-Bolts scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, and Will Resnik (High Point) would come in to relieve starter Riley Stephenson (UMBC). Resnik would go on to pitch 5.1 innings, giving up no runs on just two hits and a walk while striking out four. After three innings dominated by pitching, the Big Train cut into the T-Bolts lead in the top of the eighth, scoring another run. Spano once again came up in the clutch for Bethesda, hitting an RBI single to center field to score France, making the score 5-4. Resnik would throw a shutout inning in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Big Train one last chance to tie things up. The offense answered in the top of the ninth. With one out, Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) reached first base after being hit by a pitch.  He advanced to second on a wild pitch, and came in to score on a two-out single by Kevin Tatum (Cornell). That tied the game at five. After a walk by France, Yandel came up with an RBI double to score pinch runner Harrison Bruce (San Francisco) and give the Big Train their first lead of the game. The slim lead would be enough for Resnik to close things out in the ninth, as he retired the side in short order to secure the 6-5 victory. The Big Train have an off-day on Thursday before traveling to Baltimore on Friday to take on the Redbirds.  Bethesda then travels to Glen Burnie on Saturday to take on the Youse's Orioles before returning to Povich Field on Sunday for the Fan Appreciation Night doubleheader against the Alexandria Aces. In honor of our great fans, everyone will receive a Big Train fan to help keep them cool. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.

BULLDOGS FOOTBALL PREDICTED TO FINISH SIXTH OVERALL IN CIAA

BULLDOGS FOOTBALL PREDICTED TO FINISH SIXTH OVERALL IN CIAAKhari Lee, Austin Hochman, Oladimeji Layeni and Curtis Pumphrey Receive Pre-Season All-CIAA Honors


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Bowie State University football team has been predicted to finish 6th in the CIAA and 3rd in the Northern Division according to the 2013 conference preseason poll, which was released during the league's football press conference at the Reaves Center on the Winston-Salem State University campus.

The Bulldogs return 39 lettermen including 16 starters from last year's squad. Bowie State finished the 2012 campaign with a 5-5 overall record and 2-5 record in the CIAA.

Senior defensive tackle Oladimeji (5-11, 240, Washington, D.C.), junior tight end Khari Lee (6-4, 235, Baltimore, Md.), fellow junior center Austin Hochman (6-5, 284, Annapolis, Md.) and sophomore defensive back Curtis Pumphrey (5-8, 155, Laurel, Md.) were selected to the 2013 All-CIAA Preseason Team. The conference Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason Team are voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association.

The defending CIAA Champions of Winston-Salem State University were selected to finish as the top team in the conference in 2013 followed by Elizabeth City State University, St. Augustine’s University, Chowan University and Shaw University made up the top five teams. Bowie State was voted as the sixth overall ranked team in the conference followed by Johnson C. Smith University, Virginia Union University, Fayetteville State University, Virginia State University, Livingstone College and Lincoln (Pa.).

Bowie State will open up the season on September 7^th, making a non-conference road trip to Manchester, N.H. to face the St. Anselm College Hawks at 1 pm. St. Anselm is a member of the Northeast-10 Conference and finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 2-9 (1-7 in the conference).

2013 Preseason All-CIAA Team

OFFENSIVE TEAM

                #             NAME                                   SCHOOL              CL.          HT.         WT.       HOMETOWN

TIGHT END

                86          Khari Lee                          BSU                       JR           6’4         235       Baltimore, MD

LINEMEN

                67          Austin Hochman           BSU                       JR           6’5         284       Annapolis, MD

                60           David Gatlin                      ECSU                     SR           6’4          330        Washington, D.C.

                55           Rico Arellano                    JCSU                      SR           6’6          280        Charlotte, NC

                73           Chris Bearden                   WSSU                   SR           6’7          315        Decatur, GA

                64           Nathaniel Hartung          WSSU                   SR           6’2          380        Butler, PA

WIDE RECEIVERS

                86           Robert Holland                                CU                          SR           6’3          190        Newport News, VA

                2             Fred Scott                           JCSU                      SO          5’7          170        Stone Mountain, GA

QUARTERBACK

                1             Keahn Wallace                 JCSU                      JR           6’2          210        Homestead, FL

RUNNING BACKS

                24           Colon Bailey, Jr.               FSU                        SR           6’0          200        Manteo, NC

                3             Maurice Lewis                  WSSU                   JR           5’11       190        Lumberton, NC

KICK RETURNER

                1             Darnell Evans                   SU                          SR           5’9          190        Madison, NJ

PLACE KICKER

                9             Brett Symonds                 ECSU                     SR           5’10       165        Temecula, CA

DEFENSIVE TEAM

                #             NAME                                   SCHOOL              CL.          HT.         WT.       HOMETOWN

LINEMEN

            41        Oladimeji Layeni     BSU                 SR        5’11    250     Washington, D.C.

            25        TJ Batchelor               CU                   SR        6’0       240     Middlesex, NC

            45        Javarous Faulk          SAU                 SR        6’1       245     Macon, GA

            49        Donnie Owens           WSSU              SR        6’3       285     Fayetteville, NC

LINEBACKERS

            33        Kenneth White, Jr.     LC                    JR        6’0       225     Southport, NC

            3          Chaz Robinson          SAU                 SR        5’11    220     Hampton, VA

            44        Carlos Fields, Jr.        WSSU              SR        6’3       230     Henderson, NC

DEFENSIVE BACKS

            7          Curtis Pumphrey      BSU                 SO       5’8       155     Laurel, MD

            1          Nigel Rios                   ECSU               SR        5’9       170     Washington, D.C.

            1          Darnell Evans                        SU                    SR        5’9       190     Madison, NJ

            1          Sean Smith                 VSU                 SR        5’10    190     Lithonia, GA

PUNT RETURNER

            1          Denzel Duchenne      VUU                 SO        5’8       160     Brooklyn, NY

PUNTER

            9             Brett Symonds                 ECSU                     SR           5’10       165        Temecula, CA

CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish

1.      Winston-Salem State University

2.      Elizabeth City State University

3.      St. Augustine’s University

4.      Chowan University

5.      Shaw University

6.      Bowie State University

7.      Johnson C. Smith University

8.      Virginia Union University

9.      Fayetteville State University

10.  Virginia State University

11.  Livingstone College

12.  Lincoln University (PA)

Follow the CIAA Football Round-Up Live on Thursday

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association will host its annual CIAA Media Day on the campus of Winston-Salem State University on Thursday.  The Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team will be revealed, with student-athletes and coaches discussing their outlook and expectations for the upcoming season.  Fans that aren't able to attend Thursday's CIAA Media Day can follow the action by clicking HERE to view the video stream. 

Big Train Home Game Tonight!

Big Train Lose Heart Breaker to Express in Extras   The Big Train traveled to Knights Field on Monday to take on the Rockville Express, as they looked to build some momentum after winning on Sunday.   Box Score: L, 3-2 (10 innings) Danny Mooney (Davidson) - pictured above - got the start for the Big Train, and would pitch nine innings, giving up just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two. But despite his outstanding performance, Mooney would ultimately get the no-decision with the game going into extra innings. The Big Train would get their offense going right out of the gate, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. David Del Grande (Sacramento State), the very first batter of the game, would hit a lead off home run on the second pitch he saw to give the Big Train the early 1-0 lead. The Express would answer with the run of their own in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 1-1. From that point forward, pitching would take over the ballgame. Both Mooney and Rockville's Gurganus would go nine innings, giving up just one run apiece, meaning the game would be decided by the bullpens in extras. In the top of the tenth inning, Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC) would hit a lead off double for the Big Train, and then advanced to third base on a sacrifice hit by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech). With one out and Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) at the plate, Willard would score on a passed ball, giving the Big Train the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the tenth. However, the Express would once again answer, this time in dramatic fashion. A walk-off triple by Will Kengor would score two runs for Rockville, as the Big Train were handed the 3-2 loss.  The Big Train return to Povich Field tonight to take on the Youse's Orioles for Health Night, so come get some fresh air and enjoy some baseball. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.

Big Train Use Long Ball to Knockout Nats

Big Train Use Long Ball to Knockout Nats  The Big Train got back on track on Sunday night, as they beat the Southern Maryland Nationals 6-2 at Povich Field.   Box Score | VIDEO: Post Game Interviews (Cole, France, and Spano) Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) got the start for the Big Train, and kept the team in the game early on, giving up just two runs. However, he'd ultimately be forced out of the game after 4.2 innings after an apparent injury, and was therefore ineligible to pick up the win. The injury did not appear to be serious. The Nationals scored the first run of the ballgame in the top of the first inning, but the Big Train quickly answered in the second. Tim Yandel (Tulane) led off the bottom of the inning by getting hit by a pitch. He then stole second and advanced to third on a single by Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC), putting runners on the corners with no outs forJosh Spano (High Point). Spano smacked a two-run double to give the Big Train the 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the third, the Big Train added to their lead, scoring two more runs. Ty France (San Diego State) led off the inning for the Big Train, and managed to pick up an RBI with nobody on base as he hit a leadoff home run to extend the Big Train lead to 3-1. Two outs later, Ryne Willard drew a walk and scored on another double by Spano. In the top of the fifth inning, Collazo gave up one run and left with the injury, but Brock Larson (San Francisco) came on to pitch, and would go on to strike out six batters over the final 4.1 innings of the game, giving up no runs on just one hit and two walks. The Big Train added two more insurance runs, scoring in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. In the fifth, a sacrifice fly by Willard brought Tucker Tobin (George Mason) home to give the Big Train the 5-2 lead, before a solo home run by Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) pushed the lead to 6-2 in the sixth inning. Larson's dominance kept the Nationals off the board for the remainder of the game, and he picked up the win as the Big Train beat the Nationals 6-2. Danny Mooney (Davidson) takes the mound for the Big Train on Monday, as they hit the road to take on the Rockville Express at Knights Field at Montgomery College. Come out to support the team as they try to notch a season sweep of their cross-county rivals! The Big Train then return to Povich Field on Tuesday to take on the Youse's Orioles. Tuesday will also be Health Night, so come get some fresh air and enjoy some baseball. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.

Food-borne microbe may cause cancer

Could E. Coli Bacteria be Both a Cancer CAUSE and a Cancer CURE?     When you hear the words E. coli, the first thing you probably think of is food poisoning. And you wouldn't be wrong—given that some strains of the bacteria have been linked to food recalls and serious illness.     Well, it might surprise you to learn there are harmless strains of the Escherichia colibacteria that are a normal part of your intestinal flora — the "good" bacteria in your colon.     In fact, the good strains of E. coli can help you by producing vitamin K, a valuable nutrient that's only recently started to get the attention it deserves (I take it as a supplement every day). E. coli can also keep harmful bacteria from setting up camp in your intestines.     So if E. coli can be so friendly—why are we talking about its connection to cancer? Glad you asked. . .keep reading. . . Continued below... World's Greatest Way to End Arthritis Pain!      What's the surest way to END arthritis pain in your joints and spine? Orthopedic doctors say, "joint replacement surgery."     But now you can get the same pain-halting, arthritis-reversing results by replacing the damaged CARTILAGE that's causing the trouble, instead of the entire joint. And it doesn't involve surgery -- or even a doctor's visit. Click here to find out how.     New research suggests that the normally harmless E. coli may change its nature if your gut is inflamed.     It seems that patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) develop colorectal cancer at significantly higher rates than people who don't have this digestive problem.     And one study from scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill links this phenomenon with the presence of a strain of E. coli.     Christian Jobin, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, led a team that raised mice with a gene mutation that makes them susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease.     After rearing the mice in germ-free cages, the scientists moved them to cages where bacteria-filled mice formerly lived.     According to results published in the journal Science, five months later, all of the mutant mice had developed bowel disease.     What's more, the researchers found that 60 to 80 percent of the animals had developed colon cancer!     One common thread in the mutant mice was that they'd all developed a gut environment containing a much higher than normal proportion of E. coli.     And one E. coli strain that stood out was NC101, which was linked to aggressive forms of bowel disease in mice. This E. coli bacterium also produces the DNA-damaging protein colibactin.     In addition to these harmful bacteria, the researchers also found strains of E. coli in the gut that did not make colibactin.     These other bacteria were associated with bowel disease—but did not contribute to tumor formation. How does this relate to colon cancer in humans?     Humans also can harbor the bacteria that produce colibactin. The North Carolina investigators found these bacteria at the following levels: In 20 percent of 24 healthy people In 40 percent of 35 people with inflammatory bowel disease In two-thirds of 21 people with colorectal cancer.     These are small samples, but if the rates hold up for the whole population, the findings indicate that people with IBS and colorectal cancer are infected with this damaging strain ofE. coli at much higher rates.     The findings also indicate that many healthy people harbor this bug with no apparent problems. I'm willing to venture they can do this because they have strong immune systems plus plenty of "good" gut bacteria to keep the "bad" bacteria in check.     As to how the colibactin-producing bacteria lead to cancer—Jobin's team isn't completely sure.     One thought is that gut inflammation causes colibactin-producing strains to multiply.     At the same time, these proteins can cause cells lining the stomach to weaken—leaving them wide open to DNA damage.     Given enough time, cells subjected to these conditions can turn cancerous.     In essence, the study results suggest a direct link between changes in the gut microbiome (the total ecosystem of gut bacteria) and the development of inflammation and cancer.     Jobin said doctors could possibly construct a personalized plan for cancer prevention for each patient. This would involve using DNA sequencing to find microbes in a patient's guts that could produce cancer-causing genes.     The doctors could then use antibiotics to eliminate these microbes or encourage the use of probiotics to destroy cancer promoting bacteria. Readers of this newsletter know I'm opposed to the use of antibiotics in all but the most dire circumstances.     The use of probiotics plus healthy eating habits (more fresh fruits and vegetables, few refined carbs) should create a healthy balance of gut bacteria in most people.     It's important to understand that ALL of us have disease-causing microbes in our bodies, and we handle them just fine if we eat right and support our immune system. Scientists across the pond have found a different way to use E. coli     Remember, there are various strains of the E. coli bacteria. British researchers are working on a genetically altered strain of the virus as a possible treatment.     Their idea is to tinker with an E.coli bacterium to make it target and destroy cancer tumors.     Scientists at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham have managed to alter one strain of the virus to make it harmless to healthy human cells—while serving as an assassin to cancer cells.     A Daily Mail article describes how doctors used a common cold virus to deliver the E. colibacteria to the cancer cells.     Simply put, the scientists have managed to arrest the poisons in E. coli until they reach the inside of cancer cells.     According to Dr. Nick James, the oncologist who coordinated the therapy trials, the researchers are targeting men who have been treated for prostate cancer, but experienced a recurrence of the disease.     Additional trials are underway to determine how this therapy could be helpful to patients with cancers of the head and neck, kidneys and liver.     So depending on the strain, E.coli may be either a cancer cause or a cancer cure. More research is needed on both angles before we know for sure. But you can be sure that eating plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to sweep gunk out of your colon.     Not only will it help you maintain a 'smooth move' in your bowels—but it could also help protect you from disease-producing germs and bacteria.

Derby Pitches Gem, But Big Train Can't Capitalize

Derby Pitches Gem, But Big Train Can't Capitalize

The Big Train traveled to Gallaudet University's Hoy Field on Saturday to take on the DC Grays, looking to bounce back from Friday's loss to the Baltimore Redbirds. | Box Score: L, 1-0 Bubba Derby (San Diego State) started for the Big Train, and put together as good a start as you can without getting a win. Derby pitched an eight-inning complete game, giving up one unearned run on three hits and no walks while striking out seven. But despite outhitting the Grays, the Big Train offense was unable to provide Derby with the necessary run support to reward him with a win. Bethesda got three hits from the bottom half of the lineup, but had just four total hits and ultimately left the bases loaded in the ninth inning to end the game.

Big Train Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss; ESPN's Tim Kurkjian Addresses Team

Big Train Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss   The Big Train hosted the Baltimore Redbirds on Friday night, as they looked to extend their winning streak to eight straight games. | Box Score: L, 5-0 Michael Boyle (Radford) got the start for the Big Train, and went four innings, giving up two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out one. Ty France (San Diego State) had a multi-hit game, but the Big Train would not push across a run, as Jack Fischer threw a complete-game shutout for the Cardinals. After the Redbirds got to Boyle for two runs, they'd score three more off the Big Train bullpen, ultimately winning the game 5-0.    Despite the loss, the Big Train secured a trip back to the post season as a result of the Southern Maryland Nationals beating the Alexandria Aces last night. The Big Train will look to get back on track on Saturday night as they hit the road to take on the D.C. Grays at Gallaudet University. Bubba Derby (San Diego State) gets the start for the Big Train. Bethesda then returns to Povich Field on Sunday to take on the Southern Maryland Nationals. It's Activity Rocket Night, and the local organization will be out at the ballpark with fun activities for kids and local business partners. Tomorrow night is also Bunt Mini Bobblehead Night! If you loved last season's bobblehead of Homer, make sure you show up early to snag the matching mini-bobblehead of Bunt that will go to the first 500 fans.    Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by clicking here. VIDEO: ESPN's Tim Kurkjian Addresses Team Last night was Tim Kurkjian Night at Shirley Povich Field. The ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch and also spoke to the Big Train players before the game. Watch the video to see what advice he had to give to the team along with some of his fascinating baseball stories!