Big Train Thrash T-Bolts, Tighten Hold on Standings

Big Train Thrash T-Bolts, Tighten Grip on Standings  The Big Train sought their third consecutive win on Wednesday night, as they hosted the Silver Spring-Tacoma Thunderbolts at Povich Field.    Box Score | VIDEO: Post Game Interviews (Colangelo & Willard) Luis Collazo (Virginia Tech) - pictured above - got the start for the Big Train, his second of the season. Collazo gave the team five quality innings, giving up just one run on three hits and one walk, striking out an impressive eight batters. But for the second time in as many starts, the Big Train did not score very much while he was on the mound. Heading into the sixth, the score was tied at one. That's when the Big Train bats came to life. Three straight singles led to a run to make it 2-1 and another run was tacked on at the end of the inning. However, the Big Train were not done. Two more runs in the seventh would leave the Big Train with a 5-1 lead that was plenty for Bubba Derby (San Diego State), who was dealing on the mound. He would pick up the win as he threw three innings of shutout relief. He gave up just two hits and struckout six without walking a batter. Coming into last night's game, the most runs the Big Train had scored in a single game was seven. However, that mark would be outpaced in the bottom of the eighth alone. A one-out double by David Del Grande (Sacramento State) got the onslaught started in the eighth, scoring Harrison Bruce (San Francisco) and giving the Big Train a 6-2 lead. Del Grande, Ricky Santiago (Florida Atlantic), Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina), Ty France (San Diego State),Tucker Tobin (George Mason), Josh Spano (High Point) and Ryne Willard (Tallahassee CC) would then cross the plate, stretching the lead to 12 runs. Willard smashed a grand slam over the left field fence to finish the rally. It is the only grand slam so far this season in the CRCBL. Michael Judge (Methodist (NC)) would come on to pitch a perfect ninth inning, securing the Big Train's 13-1 victory over the T-Bolts. Seven players recorded a hit in Wednesday night's victory, and five players had two hits or more. Del Grande led the way with four hits and a hit-by-pitch. The pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts, just one walk, and five hits over nine innings, and the bullpen came in to give the Big Train four shutout innings. While the win allowed the Big Train to hold on to their lead over the Gaithersburg Giants in the standings, it was also by far the team's most dominating performance of the season.  The Big Train will look to carry their momentum on both sides of the ball into tonight's game against the 2012 Regular-Season Champion Rockville Express. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM at Povich Field, and it's Disney Night!Buzz Lightyear and others will all be in attendance, and make sure to get out to the ballpark early so you can be one of the 250 fans to receive Big Train Rally Towels! Tickets to the game can be purchasedhere or at the gate!