Big Train Blow Out Grays; BT Players In Pro Ball

Big Train Blow Out Grays   Box Score: W, 15-1 Jake Valdez (St. Mary's College (CA)) got the start for the Bethesda Big Train as they traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the Grays on Monday night. Valdez gave up three hits and one run while striking out five batters in six innings of work en route to the 15-1 hammering of the Grays. The bullpen was out in full force again on the night.  Jacob Billingsley (Mississippi State) pitched two innings of scoreless ball and Eric Martin (Tennessee) pitched a perfect 9th inning, striking out the side.  As a team, the pitching staff only gave up five hits all game. Down 1-0 going into the 2nd inning, the Big Train bats came alive.  Ryne Willard (N.C. State) singled and later scored on a fielders choice hit by Tony DiLeo (Eastern Michigan).  Andrew Brown (San Diego State) then singled home Cody Manzella (High Point), who reached base after getting hit by a pitch, to give the Big Train a 2-1 lead. The Big Train never looked back as the scoring continued in the 4th inning.  After consecutive singles by Cody Manzella and Kevin Tatum (Cornell), Andrew Brown recorded his second hit and second RBI of the night, scoring Manzella on a single to right field.  Tatum crossed the plate later in the inning off a sacrifice fly hit by Logan Farrar (Virginia Commonwealth). The Big Train was able to push across runs in each of the next four innings.  After Chris Lewis (Sacramento State) walked in the 5th inning, Ryne Willard hit his second home run in three games, to put the score at 6-1. In the 6th inning, Tony DiLeo and Andrew Brown walked, and Cody Brown (Mississippi State) was hit by a pitch, which gave Brandon Lowe (Maryland) his first good opportunity of the season to create havoc for the Big Train offense.  Lowe singled home two runs and later scored on a two RBI double hit by Ryne Willard, which also scored Cody Brown.  Willard started the season slow, but his hitting has really turned a corner, recording four RBI on the night on four hits. With the Big Train already up 10-1, the onslaught continued in the 7th, with the Big Train pushing across four more runs.  With the bases loaded,Logan Farrar grounded into a fielders choice scoring Sean Labsan (Florida Atlantic) who came in as a pinch hitter and then defensive substitution.  Then, Brandon Lowe came up to bat and had his second impact hit of the night, hitting a three run dinger, giving him five RBI on the night.  Even though Lowe only recently reported, he has come up big in the little time he has played, proving why he was a key factor in the University of Maryland's surprise success this past season. In the 8th inning, Ryne Willard recorded his third extra base hit of the night and then scored on a Sean Labsan double to complete the scoring for either team. After giving up a 1-0 lead after the first inning, the Big Train pitching staff kept the Grays hitters in check for the rest of the game.  With a pitching staff that does not like to give up many runs, and an offense that is putting up double digit hits consistently, the Big Train has become a force in the league and look to continue their torrid start. Notes: Seven Big Train players had hits.... Five players had multiple hit nights....Brandon Lowe went 3-5 with five RBI....Ryne Willard went 4-5 with four RBI.

BT Players in Pro Ball  Chevy Chase native, BCC Baseball alumni and former Big Train star, Matt Bowman (BT '10-'12) -- pictured above -- has been quietly making a name for himself in the New York Mets organization.   After being drafted in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft from Princeton University, Bowman spent the 2013 season pitching for Single-A St. Lucie and Single-A Savannah, where he started 21 games and finished the year with a combined 10-4 record, with 116 strikeouts in 127.0 innings-pitched, and recording a 3.05 earned-run average.   His success in the 2013 season has led to a recent promotion to Double-A Binghamton of the Eastern League.  With 13 starts under his belt, Bowman has recorded 68 strikeouts in 72.2 innings-pitched with a solid 3.72 earned-run average.   In a recent game against the Bowie Baysox, Bowman returned to his home state to pitch 7 strong innings in which he only gave up 2 earned-runs but recorded the loss due to a lack of run support.  With an array of pitches in his arsenal and improved confidence from his success during the 2013 season and current season, Bowman is on track to become a very vital pitching prospect in the New York Mets farm system for many years to come.  Here is an update on former Big Train players in the pros: Martin Agosta, RHP (BT 2011) San Jose Giants (California Lg. - Hi A) 1-2, 10.55 ERA in 7 games; on disabled list. Cody Allen, RHP (BT 2008 & 2010) Cleveland Indians (American League - MLB) 3-2, 7 saves, 2.78 ERA in 36 games. Adam Barry, OF/1B/RHP (BT 2011-12) Fort Worth Cats (United League - IND) .196, 11 hits, 1 HR, 5 RBI in 18 games; started year with Trinidad Triggers (Pecos Lg. - IND) .250, 11 hits, 2 HR, 13 RBI in 12 games; 1-0, 2.25 ERA in 3 games. Matt Bowman, RHP (BT 2010-11-12) Binghamton Mets (Eastern Lg. - AA) 5 -5, 3.72 ERA in 13 games. Collin Cargill, RHP (BT 2007) With Jacksonville Suns (Southern Lg. - AA) for third time this year 0-1, 3.71 ERA in 14 games; has been promoted to New Orleans Zephyrs (PCL - AAA) twice this year 0-1, 8.10 ERA in 6 games. Mike Costanzo, 3B (BT 2003) Louisville Bats (International Lg. - AAA) .194, 25 hits, 4 HR, 15 RBI in 43 games; on disabled list. Ryan Doran, RHP (BT 2012) Hillsboro Hops (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) 1-0, 1.54 ERA in 2 games. Brian Dozier, 2B (BT 2006) Minnesota Twins (American Lg. - MLB) .243, 67 hits, 15 HR, 36 RBI in 72 games. Leads his team in runs scored (57), stolen bases (15), total bases (124), and HR. Brian leads all major league second basemen in runs scored and HR, and is tied for first in Wins Above Replacement value; he is fifth in OPS. Chris Duffy, 1B (BT 2007) Sioux Falls Canaries (American Assn - IND) .261, 30 hits, 5 HR, 16 RBI in 34 games. Nate Fury, RHP (BT 2010) Lakeland Flying Tigers (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 1 game. Ryan Garton, RHP (BT 2011) Charlotte Stone Crabs (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) 4-0, 3 saves, 3.03 ERA in 21 games. Ben Griset, LHP (BT 2012) Bowling Green Hot Rods (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 0-3, 4.19 ERA in 4 games as a starter; after beginning season with Charlotte Stone Crabs (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) as a reliever 1-1, 0.71 ERA in 5 games. Justin Hepner, RHP (BT 2013) GCL Marlins (Gulf Coast Lg. - Rookie) 0-0, 18.00 ERA in 1 game. T. J. Hose, RHP (BT 2004) Camden Riversharks (Atlantic Lg. - IND) 2-4, no saves, 2.10 ERA in 20 games. Alex Hudak, OF (BT 2011) Camden Riversharks (Atlantic Lg. - IND) .306, 57 hits, 5 HR, 30 RBI, in 52 games. Leads his team in HR and RBI. Brenden Kalfus, OF (BT 2011) Vancouver Canadians (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) .200, 3 hits, 2 RBI in 6 games. Matt Long, OF (BT 2006) Salt Lake City Bees (PCL - AAA) .256, 51 hits, 4 HR, 26 RBI in 53 games. After suffering an injury, Matt had rehab assignments with AZL Angels (Arizona Lg. - Rookie) .333, 1 hit in 1 game and with Orem Owlz (Pioneer Lg. - Rookie) .667, 2 hits in 1 game. Joe Mantiply, LHP (BT 2010) West Michigan White Caps (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 5-2, 5 saves, 1.90 ERA in 24 games. Named to the League All-Star Game. Michael McKenry, C (BT 2004) Second time this season with Colorado Rockies (NL - MLB) .298, 14 hits, 4 RBI in 16 games; has twice been with Colorado Springs SkySox (Pacific Coast Lg - AAA) .313, 26 hits, 3 HR, 12 RBI in 23 games. Brennan Middleton, SS (BT 2010-12) Hagerstown Suns (So. Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) .309, 29 hits, 10 RBI in 29 games. Ethan Miller, RHP (BT 2012) Salem-Keiser Volcanoes (Northwest Lg. - ss-A) 0-0. 7.56 ERA in 2 games. Mitch Morales, SS (BT 2012) Signed minor league contract with San Diego Padres on June 13. Assigned to the AZL Padres (Arizona Lg. - Rookie) reserved list. Mason Morioka, C (BT 2009-11) Rockford Aviators (Frontier Lg. - IND) .154, 8 hits, 4 RBI in 17 games. Daryl Norris, RHP (BT 2011) Connecticut Tigers (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 0-0, 4.76 ERA in 3 games; started season with temporary promotion to Lakeland Flying Tigers (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 1 game. Cole Norton, OF (BT 2012) On June 16 (pre-season), Cole was re-assigned from the roster of the Grand Junction Rockies to the Colorado Rockies extended spring training camp. Jimmy Reed, LHP (BT 2010) Peoria Chiefs (Midwest Lg. - Lo A) 3-3, 3.88 ERA in 13 games. Hunter Renfroe, OF (BT 2011-12) San Antonio Missions (Texas Lg. - AA) .111, 2 hits, 1 HR, 1 RBI in 5 games; after starting season with All-Star performance at Lake Elsinore Storm (California Lg. - Hi A) .295, 82 hits, 16 HR, 52 RBI, .935 OPS in 69 games. David Wayne Russo, LHP (BT 2010-12) Rockford Aviators (Frontier Lg. - IND) 2-1, 5.26 ERA in 13 games. Kelly Secrest, LHP (BT 2011-12) Brooklyn Cyclones (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 0-0, 27.00 ERA in 1 game. Danny Stienstra, 1B (BT 2008-09-10) Palm Beach Cardinals (Florida State Lg. - Hi A) no record, on disabled list since season started. Nick Vickerson, 1B/2B/3B (BT 2010) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Carolina Lg. - Hi A) .250, 3 hits, 1 HR, 4 RBI in 4 games; after starting season with Hickory Crawdads (South Atlantic Lg. - Lo A) .299, 50 hits, 4 HR, 25 RBI in 51 games. Matt Wickswat, LHP (BT 2006) Sioux Falls Canaries (American Assn - IND) - 1-1, 3.23 ERA in 9 games. Justin Wright, LHP (BT 2008) Second time this season with Memphis Redbirds (PCL - AAA) 2-0, 10.38 ERA in 6 games; started year with Springfield Cardinals (Texas Lg.- AA) and has been with them twice, having a sensational record of 2-0, 4 saves, and 1.04 ERA in 21 games;

2014 CRCBL Standings    TEAM W L % GB BIG TRAIN  14 1 .929  - Baltimore Redbirds  10 6 .625 4.5 Rockville Express  9 6 .600 5 Alexandria Aces 9 7 .563 5.5 Gaithersburg Giants 8 7 .533 6 SS-Takoma T-Bolts 6 8 .429 7.5 Herndon Braves 5 7 .417 7.5 DC Grays 7 10 .412 8 Vienna River Dogs  5 8 .385 8 Youse's Orioles 6 10 .375 8.5 Baltimore Dodgers 3 12 .200 11