Big Train Fall in Championship Game; Another Great Season of Bethesda Baseball!

Big Train Fall to Redbirds in Championship The Big Train hosted the Baltimore Redbirds this afternoon, as both teams squared off in the CRCBL Championship for the fifth consecutive season. Justin Hepner (San Diego State) got the start for the Big Train, and went seven quality innings, giving up just two runs on three hits while recording five strikeouts. | Box Score: L, 4-1 In the top of the fifth, the Big Train would score the first run of the game after Parker Guinn (Washington) led off the inning with a walk. The Big Train catcher then stole second and third base to give Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) a runner in scoring position with one out. Cole came through for the Big Train, hitting an RBI single to score Guinn and give the Big Train the 1-0 lead. However, the Redbirds staged a comeback and got to the Big Train pitching for four runs in the next two innings. After scoring one in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, Baltimore scored three more in the eighth to take the 4-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth. The Big Train would get one base-runner in the ninth inning, as Kevin Tatum(Cornell) drew a one-out walk. However, Bethesda would fail to score any runs, and the Redbirds would go on to win the game 4-1. The Big Train finishes the season with a combined 32-16 record, good for best in the CRCBL. The Big Train also walk away with some hardware, as they'll receive the Montgomery Cup for having the best record in match-ups against fellow Montgomery County opponents. Another Incredible Season of Bethesda Big Train Baseball    The Bethesda Big Train would like to thank all of our great fans for all of their support all season long. Without the fans, the Bethesda Big Train would not be the great experience that we all know it to be. We can't wait to see all of you back at Povich Field next summer for another season of great baseball, or even hopefully before that at any of our offseason events such as: Garrett Stephenson Camp (now through August 23rd)  Gio Gonzalez Camp (August 8th)  The Bethesda Baseball Holiday Auction (November 17th)  Our FanFest The Big Train Celebrity Softball Classic Any of our Community Events Or Anything Else in Between... Thanks again for all you continue to do to make the Big Train everything it is!

Big Train Bats Blast Braves! ASG Tonight at Povich; BT Fan on a Mission

Big Train Bats Blast Braves, Head into Break at 25-7   The Big Train traveled to Herndon on Tuesday to take on the FCA Herndon Braves. Riding a five-game winning streak, the team was looking to go into the All-Star Break on a high note. | Box Score: W, 11-4 Brock Larson (San Francisco) started for the Big Train, and gave up three runs (two earned) in four innings on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. The Braves got on the board first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. However, the Big Train would respond quickly. In the top of the third inning, a great bunt by David Del Grande (Sacramento St.) forced an error that allowed Mike Miedzianowski (High Point) to score for the Big Train. An RBI single by Kyle Wernicki (Virginia Tech) and a sacrifice fly by Ty France (San Diego State) pushed across two more runs, suddenly turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for Bethesda. In the fourth inning, Tim Yandel (Tulane) crossed the plate for the Big Train after reaching on a single and stealing a base, to extend the lead to 4-2. The Braves got one run back in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 4-3, but the Big Train continued to score. Kit Scheetz (Virginia Tech) - pictured above - came in to relieve Larson in the bottom of the fifth, and pitched a scoreless inning out of the gate, setting up the Big Train offense to start pulling away. The bats did just that in the following innings, scoring runs seven runs in the last four innings. In the sixth, RBIs from Wernicki and Tucker Tobin (George Mason) added some cushion to the Big Train lead, extending it to 6-3. A mammoth home run by Johnny Cole (Coastal Carolina) made the score 7-3 before RBI walks by Cole and Yandel extended the lead to 9-3 in the eighth. The offense continued to pad the lead in the ninth, as RBIs from France andRyne Willard (Tallahassee CC) made the score 11-3. The lead would prove insurmountable for the Braves, as they plated just one run in the bottom half of the ninth inning. The Big Train enter the All-Star Break with a 25-7 record and hold a five-game lead over the Gaithersburg Giants for first place in the CRCBL. The Big Train will host the CRCBL All-Star Game on Wednesday at Povich Field! There will be six players representing the Big Train in the mid-summer classic, so come on out to see the best that the league has to offer! The All-Star Game begins at7:30 with the Home Run Derby preceding it at 5:00. After Wednesday's All-Star Game, Bethesda will play 12 more regular season games before the playoffs start at the end of July. The next Big Train home game is on Thursday against the Presstman Cardinals on Carnival Night. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.  The next Big Train home game is on Thursday against the Presstman Cardinals on Carnival Night. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate.  Man Behind Big Train Name on a Mission The Gazette Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Bethesda man caps off visits to baseball stadiums, By Kent Zakour For most of Glenn Orlin's life, baseball has been an integral part of it. His passion for the game goes well beyond cheering for his favorite team, the Washington Nationals. The 1969 Wheaton High School graduate owns an impressive amount of baseball caps that's he picked up touring the country. In the basement of his Bethesda home on wooden display cases, Orlin has a collection of 313 hats, representing every single Major League team in the country and nearly every minor league affiliate in the United States and Canada. Since 1985, Orlin has made it his lifelong goal to attend every professional ballpark in North America. "They've got to be fitted hats and I try to get the home version of the hat," said Orlin, who wears a size 7 5/8 or 7 3/4 hat. He also has a program and scorecard from every stadium as well as several other random souvenirs, ranging from seat cushions to bobblehead figurines to soda cups. Orlin's quest began in 1985 and he's traveled with his good friend Bob Simpson, his wife, Lena, or by himself since. He's received inspiration from his family and friends as well as Bob Wood's book "Dodger Dogs to Fenway Franks," a story about the author's trek to all of the Major League Baseball stadiums during the 1985 season. "He's a great guy," Bethesda Big Train co-founder Bruce Adams said during an interview before a game last month. Orlin, who serves as the Big Train's official scorer in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, occasionally brings back souvenirs for Adams from his trips. "I'm a little jealous of his excursions." Orlin, who is the Deputy Administrator of the Montgomery County Council, has also started a collection of scarves representing various soccer clubs from around the world. "Growing up, my dad took me to games and then I was away from baseball for a little bit," Orlin said. "In the summer of 1985 my friends and I were thinking about a place to go on a summer weekend and we said, "Let's go to Philly." So we saw a [Philadelphia Phillies] game at old Veterans Stadium on a hot day with miserable seats, but we still had a great time. "I heard about [Wood's trip] and I said, 'Eh. That sounds fun.' A couple years later we went to a Hagerstown Suns game and loved it. It was the perfect Minor League experience. .. It was genuine and I decided I was also going to go to every minor league ballpark. I knew it might take my entire life, but I was going to do it." Orlin's travels peaked in the early 1990s when he made seven or eight trips per summer to see approximately 30 stadiums a year. As of 2004, he had accomplished his goal. Now, because of new teams or old stadiums getting replaced or renovated, he has a handful of cities and towns to return to and he wants to add teams based in Mexico. He keeps track of his travels on a map in his office with different sized and color-coded pins. "On weekends, I would drive to South Carolina and see a game Saturday night and spend the night in a hotel. I would then go to another game Sundayafternoon and then one Sunday night. I would then get home just in time for work." As stadiums became checked off his list and the distance between destinations grew, it became difficult to plan trips in the Midwest and West. "My wife likes going on these trips and [Simpson] wants to drive every U.S. route and see every national park and monument," Orlin said. "We've done a lot of day driving for that and then at night go see a game I needed to." At every ballpark - particularly the minor league locations - Orlin, who likes to sit behind the first or third baseline in the lower level in the shade, makes it a point to soak in each stadium's ambiance. "Ballparks have a lot of things and it's a fun atmosphere for the kids," Orlin said. "To me, I like it, but it gets kind of old when you go to so many. I'm more interested in the ballpark architecture. "You want to sit somewhere where you can overhear conversations. It gives you the local flavor of the area, particularly in the Northeast and South. Where else can you go in a small town and get a sense of a place in just one night? A ballpark!"

Big Train College Round-Up 3/8

Big Train College Round-Up 3/8   Josh Spano (BT '13) - pictured above - looks to be a great addition to the Big Train this summer as he is off to a great start at High Point. This week he was particularly effective as he was 9/18 with four walks, reaching base in the majority of his plate appearances. Two of those nine hits went for extra bases (one double, one home run) and he scored five times while driving in two. A mixture of new additions and an old staple came together this week at Tulane as the Green Wave went 3-1. Brennan Middleton (BT '10-'12) led the way at the plate as scored four runs and drove in two more while collecting nine hits and a walk in 21 trips to the plate. Both Freshman, Tim Yandel (BT '13) and Ian Gilbaut (BT '13) also chipped in; Yandel at the plate (4/13, BB, HBP, 3R, 2B), and Gilbaut from the mound (3.2IP, SV, 0ER, 0H, 2BB, 5K). Other notable hitters: Matt Bahnick (BT '13 / Tallahassee CC) - 11/25, 6BB, 8R, 8 RBI, 2B, SB... Tucker Tobin (BT '11-'13 / George Mason) - 7/16, 3BB, 3R, RBI, HR... Kevin Tatum (BT '13 / Cornell) - 5/14, 5BB, 4R, 2B... Tyler York (BT '13 / Tallahassee CC) - 4/9, R, 3RBI, HR, 2B... Mitch Morales (BT '12 / Florida Atlantic) - 6/18, 3BB, 3R, 4RBI, 2B, 2SB... David Del Grande(BT '13 / Sacramento St.) - 6/16, HBP, 4R, 3RBI, 3 2B... Hunter Renfroe(BT '11-'12 / Mississippi St.) - 4/10, R, 5RBI, HR, 3SB. Other notable pitchers: Bubba Derby (BT '13 / San Diego St.) - 3.1IP, W, SV, 0ER, 4H, BB, 2K... Ben Griset (BT '12 / St. Mary's (CA)) - 4.1IP, 0ER, 4H, 4BB, 7K... Garret Kraemer (BT '13 / Sacramento St.) - 4IP, 0ER, 5H, BB... Ryan Doran (BT '12 / San Diego St.) - 7.2IP, W, 2ER, 8H, 2BB, 6K...David Wayne Russo (BT '10-'12 / San Jose St.) - 6IP, 2ER, 9H, 2K... Ricky Holden (BT '12 - UNC-Wilmington) - 2.2IP, W, 0ER, 2H, BB, HBP, 5K. Stephen Lumpkins (BT '10): Basketball to Baseball    By Kent Babb, Published: The Washington Post, March 5 Another bad day had confirmed it for the big left-hander: He didn't belong here. Stephen Lumpkins was, for about a year, exclusively a rookie league pitcher. Now it was a choice he regretted. After this poor outing, when Lumpkins issued four consecutive walks before the manager removed him, he sat frustrated in the Arizona heat and decided he should be elsewhere: a place he'd left, that basketball court in Washington. "I was trying to be something I wasn't," the 6-foot-8 Lumpkins said last week. He would return to American University, where he had played three seasons, to complete his basketball career. But at the time, things didn't seem so simple. Lumpkins had surprised Eagles Coach Jeff Jones in April 2011 with news that his attention now belonged to two sports. Two months after that meeting, the Kansas City Royals drafted Lumpkins in the 13th round of the first-year player draft, and he was gone. | Read Full Article

Big Train Fall to Redbirds 4-3; Trip Down Memory Lane

Big Train Come Close, Can't Quite Catch Redbirds   Three hits from Brendan Hendriks just wasn't enough to keep the Big Train rolling. Another Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) home run just wasn't enough last night as the Big Train fell to the Baltimore Redbirds 4-3 in the CRCBL League Championship Series. Renfroe's two-out, two-run blast in the top of the first gave the Big Train an early 2-0 lead. The offense would also see substantial contributions by Michael Bass (UNC-Wilmington), Brendan Hendriks(San Francisco) and Cole Norton (St. Mary's (CA)), who had a solo home run, three hits, and two hits respectively. Ethan Miller (San Diego State) and Will Resnik (High Point) combined for 4.1 shutout innings in relief, giving up just four hits and striking out a combined five batters. However, the Big Train would be unable to score a much-needed fourth run in the late innings of the game, as the Baltimore Redbirds won 4-3 to clinch the league championship. The box score and play-by-play can be found here. A Trip Down Memory Lane When fans think of 2012, they'll think of Renfroe's power. Despite missing out on the league title, there are certainly some outstanding superlatives to be taken from the 2012 season. Let's take a look at some of the highlights from this season: Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) rewrote the record books, breaking CRCBL records in home runs (16), RBIs (52) and runs scored (47). With stellar performance deserves outstanding recognition, and Renfroe received it when he and long-time Big Train pitcher Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic) received the ultimate honor; becoming the first two Big Train players to have their numbers retired. #11 (Renfroe) and #40 (Adams) will both sit proudly on the right field fence for many seasons to come in remembrance of these two iconic Big Train players. Every great team has more than one superstar, and the 2012 Big Train squad was no different. Though it's easy to think of Renfroe when you think of Big Train offense, third baseman Brendan Hendriks led the league in hits this season with 64. "Canada," as teammates and fans often call him, also led the league in doubles with 17, sitting one shy of the league record. After starting just 3-9 this season, the Big Train finished the year on a 22-7 streak, including a stretch from June 20th to July 20th in which the team won 20 of their 24 games. As the saying goes, "speed kills," and Brennan Middleton (Tulane) and Michael Bass (UNC-Wilmington) were deadly on the base paths this year, stealing 19 and 18 bags respectively which ranked third and fourth in the league. It must be a true testament to dedication is when fans are willing to come out when the outcome doesn't count. If so, the Big Train must (and they do!) have the best fans in the world, as over 800 Big Train fans packed Shirley Povich Field on June 2nd for the exhibition game against the Mid-Atlantic Rookies. Who can ever forget the night that the Big Train marched into enemy territory for the #OccupyRockville fan movement. The turnout was fantastic and the players rewarded the fans by knocking the number- one seeded Express out of the playoffs in a 3-0 shutout victory. In what was perhaps the most memorable game of the season, Hunter Renfroe hit a home run, Bo Logan (Florida Atlantic) threw seven shutout innings and Hugh Adams got the save to knock out the Big Train's arch rival.  Thank you fans for all the tremendous support you provided this season. Povich Field wouldn't be the same without the energy and support that you give us. We can't wait for next season but in the meanwhile, stay tuned for news on offseason events including the annual Big Train Holiday Baseball Auction!

Big Train Beat Riverdogs, Will Face Redbirds TONIGHT AT 7:00 IN TOWSON!

Big Train Beat Riverdogs, Advance to Championship   Hunter Renfroe homered once again to help the Big Train beat the Riverdogs. We'll see you in Baltimore, because the Big Train beat the River Dogs 10-5 to advance to the CRCBL League Championship Series. Jordan Gross (Tulane) got the start, and brought his A-Game; giving up just six hits over 7.1 innings. Gross picked up his second win on the season as the offense backed his efforts with 10 runs. Clutch offensive performances included multi-hit games from each of the first five Big Train hitters, as well as multi-RBI games from Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) and Colin Kish (Florida Southern). Renfroe,Kish, and Adam Barry (Cal State Northridge) homered, and Renfroe hit his 18th total homer of the season, a league record. Make sure to come out to Towson TONIGHT as the Big Train face the Baltimore Redbirds at Calvert Hall College High School. Due to the double elimination format, the Big Train will have to defeat the Redbirds tonight to force a championship game tomorrow. If the Redbirds were to defeat the Big Train tonight, the Redbirds would be champions of the CRCBL.

Big Train Win 3-0, Eliminate First Seeded Express

Big Train Win 3-0, Eliminate First Seeded Express: Will Face Vienna at Noon in Bethesda TODAY   Bo Logan was in command on the mound on Monday night. Bo Logan (Florida Atlantic) came up big when it counted. The Big Train needed a big game from their starting pitcher and Logan did it all. In seven innings of work, Logan gave up five hits and no walks and struck out seven. With that kind of pitching performance, the Big Train needed very few runs to win the game and they got a couple in the seventh inning. The first came on an Adam Barry (Cal State Northridge) single that scoredMichael Bass (UNC-Wilimington) after he had stolen second base. Barry then came around to score on an error by the Express. The Big Train added a run in the ninth inning when Hunter Renfoe(Mississippi State) hit a mammoth home run to left field. The play-by-play and box score can be viewed here. The Big Train will play the Vienna Riverdogs at 12pm today at Povich Field. ALL TICKETS WILL BE JUST $5.00, so make sure to come out and support the team as they try to win their fourth straight CRCBL title! The winner of that game will face the Baltimore Redbirds at 7pm the same night in Towson.

T-Shirts Instead of Tailgating at #OccupyRockville TONIGHT at 7:00!

Due to constraints on permits at Knights Field in Rockville, tonight's #OccupyRockville event will not include tailgating in the parking lot before the game as was stated in this morning's Big Train Newsletter. However, the Big Train will instead be handing out Big Train Summer Camp T-Shirts to Big Train fans in attendance! Make sure to get out to the game early (7:00 is first pitch) to get yours and to cheer on the Big Train as they try to win their fourth straight Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship!

Help Big Train #OccupyRockville TONIGHT at 7pm!

Help the Big Train #OccupyRockville TONIGHT at 7!  . After a 15-2 loss to the Baltimore Redbirds last night, the Big Train will look to bounce back and take down the number-one seeded Rockville Express tonight at 7:00pm at Knights Field (Montgomery College Rockville). It's an elimination game, meaning win or go home, so the Big Train need all the fans we can get! That's right, it's time to bring out the secret Big Train weapon,#OccupyRockville. This experiment was first tested back on July 22, and it saw great success, but this is the playoffs, and the Big Train are calling on YOU to help bring the home crowd of Povich Field into enemy territory. Fans who participate in the most substantial fan movement of the season can also participate in the Big Train tailgating party an hour before first pitch. Bring your grills, chairs, beverages and other party materials to the Knights Field parking lot and party like a baseball star!

Big Train Roll Past Aces; Second Round Game in Towson TODAY at 6:00!

Big Train Roll Past Aces into Second Round Ryan Doran pitched six solid innings for the Big Train last night. The Big Train advanced to the second round of the playoffs in dramatic fashion last night, defeating the Alexandria Aces 3-2 with a late rally. Ryan Doran (San Diego State) took the mound for the Big Train, and did everything he could to keep the Big Train in last night's elimination game. Doran gave up just two runs on three hits over six innings while striking out six in what was probably his final start of the season. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the second inning, the Big Train got their first run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Colin Kish(Florida Southern) hit a two-out double to score Michael Bass (UNC-Wilmington) and tie the score at one. The Big Train found themselves trailing once again after the Aces pushed across another run in the top of the sixth inning. Ethan Miller (San Diego State) came in to relieve Doran in the seventh, and would be just what the doctor ordered. Miller pitched two perfect innings and kept the deficit at one headed into the bottom of the eighth. Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) led off the bottom of the eighth and reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. He then advanced all the way over to third base on an error by the catcher and was able to score on an Avondre Bollar (San Diego State) single to tie the game and help keep the Big Train season alive. But the Big Train rally wasn't finished yet. Cole Norton (St. Mary's (CA)) brought Bollar home on a double off the center-field fence. Norton was the designated hitter in last night's game as it was his first game back from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of a week of action. Miller threw his third straight perfect inning to eliminate the Aces from the playoffs in the ninth. Click here for the box score and play-by-play of last night's game. The Big Train play their second-round game tonight in Towson at 6:00PM. They will take on the Baltimore Redbirds at Calvert Hall High School. Come out and support the Big Train as they try to roll to the their fourth straight CRCBL Championship! Big Train Play in Towson at 6:00pm TODAY! The second of Brendan Hendriks' two homers in Towson this season. The Big Train and the Baltimore Redbirds have had an interesting season against each other so far, and it's sure to get more interesting in the playoff game on Sunday evening. The Big Train and Redbirds first faced off in Towson on the first night of the season. The Redbirds jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning before the Big Train were able to tie the game in the fourth with help from a Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) home run. The Redbirds eventually pulled away again and went on to win by a score of 9-5. The Redbirds came to visit Povich Field on June 17th and were able to get past the Big Train once again. Though Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) hit his first two home runs of the season, the Big Train's offense could match the Redbird's as they went on to win 6-4. Ten days later, the Big Train rolled into Towson looking for revenge but came up empty once again. The Redbirds were able to take a 2-0 lead early, but the Big Train tied the score in the sixth inning after a two-run home run by Hendriks. The game went into extra innings and the Redbirds were able to escape on a walk-off home run in the tenth inning. The next match-up between the two teams was supposed to be played two days later but was moved after storms damaged Povich Field. The game was eventually started on July 3rd but was suspended with the Big Train leading 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning after a home run by Avondre Bollar. The game was picked up on the final week of the season where the Redbirds took the lead back quickly until Hendrikswas able to tie the game on a two-run single in the ninth inning. But once again, the Redbirds escaped after a home run in the tenth inning. On the second to last day of the season, the Redbirds and Big Train faced off one more time in Towson and this time it was the Big Train's night. Renfroe homered in the first inning but after three innings the game was all tied up at three. From there, neither team was able to score until Adam Barry (Cal State Northridge) smashed a home run in the tenth inning to win the game for the Big Train. With the last three games between these two teams going into extra innings, tonight's game is sure to be exciting so make sure you come out and support the Big Train as they try to roll to their fourth straight CRCBL Championship!

(Bethesda Big Train) Home Playoff Game TONIGHT at 7:30 pm vs Alexandria!

Big Train Open Playoffs at Home Tonight! Hunter Renfroe and the Big Train look to swing for the fences tonight vs. Alexandria. The Bethesda Big Train (25-16, 3rd Seed) will open the 2012 Cal Ripken League playoffs at Shirley Povich Field tonight at 7:30 pm against the Alexandria Aces (20-21, 6th Seed). During the regular season, the Big Train and Aces spilt their regular season matchups two game to two: First Game: 6/15 at. Alexandria Score: Loss, 7-6 Notes: Aces led 7-0 after 6 innings...Big Train scored 2, 1, and 3 in the 7th, 8th, and 9th...Middleton 3/5, HR, 3RBI. Second Game: 6/25 at. Alexandria Score: Win, 4-3 Notes: Back and forth until Bass had a 2RBI come from behind, game winning single in the top 9...Carlson's first Big Train start, 5 innings, no hits...Renfroe solo HR and Bass 3RBI. Third Game 7/16 at. Bethesda Score: Loss, 6-3 Notes: Aces had a 4-run 4th inning all runs unearned...Led 4-3 until tacking on two more in the 9th....Bollar was 3/4, 2B, 2RBI and Middleton HR. Fourth Game 7/18 at. Bethesda Score: Win, 4-3 Notes: Big Train trailed 3-0 after 5 innings...2RBI single from Medzienowski in 5th...Walk-off single from Bass in bottom 9th...Only walk-off win of season. Should the Big Train advance in this win or go home match, the team would travel to Baltimore tomorrow to play the Redbirds. Tickets to this evenings game are available at the gate or can be purchased online by clicking here. VIDEO: Hunter Renfroe & Hugh Adams  Jersey Retirement Ceremony    Friday night's pregame festivities were closed out by a special jersey-retiring ceremony for both Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic University) andHunter Renfroe (Mississippi State), enshrining them in Big Train history as the first two league players to ever have their numbers retired.    Hugh Adams has pitched for the Big Train for seven years now, dating back to his sophomore year of high school when he became the youngest player in CRCBL history at the age of 16. Adams has posted an outstanding 1.72 ERA over his Big Train career. Adams' contributions to the Big Train have extended beyond his stellar performance on the mound, as he served as a batboy starting in 1999, the Big Train's inaugural season. Adams was joined by his parents as well as two grandmothers in last night's ceremony that ensured no other Big Train player will ever wear #40. Hunter Renfroe joined the Big Train last season, and has since developed into one of the most highly-touted prospects in the country. After setting the Big Train team record in home runs back in 2011 with eight, Renfroe proceeded to outdo himself (as well as the rest of the league) this year, breaking league records in home runs (17, league record was 9), RBIs (52, league record was 45) and after scoring four runs in last night's game, runs scored (48, league record was 45). Renfroe will go down as an all-time league great, and his #11 will join the #40 on the right-field fence. Renfroe will also have his number sit up on the left-field stadium light pole, a kind gesture made by his host mom, Becky Crowley.    Both Hugh and Hunter were accompanied by family; Hugh his parents and two grandmothers, and Hunter with his parents who made a surprise visit from his home state of Mississippi to share in the special day with their son.

Big Train Win in Extras; TONIGHT's Carnival, Giveaway, Terp Appearances, Luau, and More

Big Train Beat Redbirds in Extras   Hugh Adams earned the victory in relief for the Big Train. The Big Train busted out of a small slump in a big way last night as they beat the Baltimore Redbirds 4-3 in 11 innings. Jordan Gross (Tulane) got the start for the Big Train and gave up just three runs over six innings on only three hits. The Big Train bats helped him early as a two-run homer by Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) in the first inning brought Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) in to score and gave the Big Train an early lead. After seeing two Redbirds runs in the bottom half of the inning, the Big Train offense answered in the top of the second as  Hendriks took a bases-loaded walk to score Tucker Tobin (George Mason) and give the Big Train a 3-2 lead. The Redbirds would tie it once again in the bottom of the third, and it would be a pitching duel from then on. Big Train relievers Ethan Miller(San Diego State), Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic), and Ryan Doran (San Diego State) matched the Redbirds pitching staff and gave up no runs in seven combined innings of relief. The bullpen combined for seven strikeouts and only gave up three hits. The spectacular pitching forced extra innings for the second straight day against the Redbirds, and once again a solo home run by the away team was the difference-maker. Adam Barry (Cal State Northridge) was the hero of the night as he turned on a ball and sent it far over the left-center field fence with two outs in the 11th inning. Doran would give up no hits in the bottom of the inning to pick up the save and give Adams his fourth victory of the season. Click here to see the box score and play-by-play of last night's game. Make sure to come out for the final home game of the season tonight at 7:30pm, as the Big Train host the Vienna River Dogs at Povich Field. It's Fan Appreciation Night, which means that those in attendance will receive free fans. The pregame carnival sponsored by Talk of the Town begins at 4:30pm, so be sure to get to ballpark early to enjoy all your favorite rides. Also, Former Terrapins basketball stars Walt Williams, Laron Profit, and Sean Mosley will be in attendance to sign autographs and meet fans. Also keep a lookout for some live Hawaiian entertainment and tables on the concourse for Activity Rocket andLanguage Stars. Tickets to tonight's carnival can be purchased here and include admission, and regular tickets for the game can be purchased here. TONIGHT's Fan Appreciation Night Includes Many Promotions! Fan Appreciation Night is TONIGHT at 7:30pm and here are some of the great things that you can expect at the ballpark: Pregame Carnival: The Big Train are proud to bring back Carnival Night presented by Talk of the Town! Povich Field's parking lot will be transformed into a pregame carnival starting at 4:30pm. Tickets to the carnival include admission to the game at 7:30pm, are $10 for kids and $9 for adults, and can be purchased here or at the gate. All of your favorite rides and games will be just outside the gates of Povich Fieldstarting at 4:30pm on Thursday. Due to the heat, Talk of the Town will be bringing out their mist tent to help cool down those in attendance as well as Big Train staff members being outfitted with mist machines courtesy of EZ Hydro Cooler. Promotion Item: Fans will be given away to those in attendance in honor of Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday! The first 500 fans will receive the promotional item so make sure to get out to the game early to get your very own Big Train fan! Fans will also receive coupons for free Italian ice courtesy of Rita's Italian Ice.    Maryland Basketball Appearances: Former Maryland Terrapins Basketball players Walt "The Wizard" Williams, Laron Profit, and Sean Mosley will be at the game on Thursday night to meet with fans,sign autographs, and throw out first pitches. Hawaiian Luau: There will also be a Hawaiian Luau going on at Povich Field on Thursday night including a live Hawaiian band! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to see some great live Hawaiian entertainment. Also, make sure to look for tables on the concourse sponsored byActivity Rocket and Language Stars! Regular tickets for tonight's game can be purchased here.

Thursday Night Carnival, Giveaway, Terp Appearences, and Luau; Big Train Fall in Extras

Thursday's Fan Appreciation Night Includes Many Promotions! Fan Appreciation Night is coming up on Thursday Night at 7:30pmand here are some of the great things that you can expect at the ballpark that night: Pregame Carnival: The Big Train are proud to bring back Carnival Night presented by Talk of the Town! Povich Field's parking lot will be transformed into a pregame carnival. Tickets to the carnival include admission to the game at 7:30pm, are $10 for kids and $9 for adults, and can be purchased here or at the gate. All of your favorite rides and games will be just outside the gates of Povich Field starting at 4:30pmon Thursday. Due to the heat, Talk of the Town will be bringing out theirmist tent to help cool down those in attendance as well as Big Train staff members being outfitted with mist machines courtesy of EZ Hydro Cooler. Promotion Item: Fans will be given away to those in attendance in honor of Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday! The first 500 fans will receive the promotional item so make sure to get out to the game early to get your very own Big Train fan! Fans will also receive coupons for free Italian ice courtesy of Rita's Italian Ice.    Maryland Basketball Appearances: Former Maryland Terrapins Basketball players Walt "The Wizard" Williams, Laron Profit, and Sean Mosley will be at the game on Thursday night to meet with fans,sign autographs, and throw out first pitches. Hawaiian Luau: There will also be a Hawaiian Luau going on at Povich Field on Thursday night including a live Hawaiian band! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to see some great live Hawaiian entertainment. 2012 Big Train Season Survey The Big Train needs your help! Please fill out the Big Train Season Survey to help us improve the fan experience for next season. And speaking of next season, by filling out the survey, you could win a 2013 Big Train Season Pass! The survey has questions about everything at Povich Field, so make sure to answer all the questions! Big Train Can't Hold Off Redbirds Brendan Hendriks came up big, but the Big Train fell in extras. A late rally was not enough last night, as the Big Train fell to the Baltimore Redbirds 7-6 in the 10th inning. Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) came up clutch again for the Big Train last night, as he providing a game-tying single that scoredBrennan Middleton (Tulane) and Avondre Bollar (San Diego State) with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, to send the game into extras. Make sure to come out for the Big Train's final home game of the season tomorrow night as they host the Vienna River Dogs at Povich Field. It's Fan Appreciation Night, which means that those in attendance will receive free fans. It's also Carnival Night starting at 4:30 PM, so be sure to get to ballpark early to enjoy all your favorite rides.

Cuneo Dominant as Big Train Fall 3-2

Cuneo Dominant as Big Train Fall 3-2

Cameron Cuneo has been a force on the mound this season.  Seven innings quality innings by Cameron Cuneo (UC Santa Barbara) would unfortunately not be enough last night as the Big Train fell to the Rockville Express 3-2. Cuneo gave up just one earned run on six hits while striking out 11.    Despite getting tagged for the loss, Cuneo recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts in his seven innings, topping the nine-strikeout performance he put together against the Herndon Braves on July 2. Cuneo now has 41 strikeouts in his 31 innings of work this year. The Big Train got RBIs from Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) andAdam Barry (Cal State Northridge), who both had solid nights at the plate. Hendriks went 3-5 including a double while Barry drew two walks on the night. Big Train lead-off man Michael Bass (UNC-Wilmington) also reached base three times.    Reliever Brock Larson (San Francisco) shut out the Express in the eighth, but the offense was unable to score a much-needed run in the top of the ninth, losing the game 3-2. Click here for last night's box score and play-by-play.    The Big Train will travel into DC tonight to try and bounce back against the Grays at 5:00 at Hoy Field at Gallaudet University before returning home on Tuesday evening to wrap up four innings of baseball against the Baltimore Redbirds. The game will be finishing a previously scheduled game which was postponed in the bottom of the fourth, so come see if the Big Train can hold on to beat the Redbirds.