Casey Allison went yard, but it was not nearly enough to hold off the Big Train.
SILVER SPRING - - The Bethesda Big Train and Youse's Orioles have long been considered the Yankees and Red Sox of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League (you can pick which one is which). The Big Train only enhanced that perception by adding one of the best players in Ripken League history, Mike Celenza (Salisbury), formerly of the College Park Bombers. Last night, the Thunderbolts looked more like the Nationals.
In the first game of what turned out to be a very long doubleheader for the 'Bolts, T-Bolts' starting pitcher Vince Lloyd (Slippery Rock) ran into trouble in the first inning. Lloyd allowed two run singles to Luke Adkins (Mississippi State) and Jordan King (Meridian CC) giving the Big Train a 4-0 lead heading in to the bottom of the first.
The Big Train would not stop there, however, scoring six more runs in the sixth inning off of Lloyd and Sean Swetnam (Prince Georges CC). Swetnam allowed four runs on four hits and one walk in 1/3 of an inning pitched. The 'Bolts lost the game, 10-2.
There were some good signs from the game, however. Nate Cudney (Belmont Abbey) and Stephen Miller (Salisbury) were excellent in relief for the 'Bolts, combining for 4 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing only three hits. The Thunderbolts also played flawless defense once again, and Casey Allison (Wingate) hit a home run in the bottom of the second.
Josh Futter (James Madison) started the second game for the 'Bolts, and after opening with two scoreless innings, it looked like the things were turning for the better. However, Futter allowed six runs over the next 1 1/3 innings, and was pulled with a blood blister. Mike Loeb (Davidson) and Brennan Wojdyla (Marist) combined to allow one run in 3 2/3 innings, but the game was already out of reach. Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic), Ryan Vander Tuig (San Jose State), and Mike Matta (Mount St. Mary's) combined to shut out the 'Bolts, and the game ended 7-0 Big Train.
The Big Train are now 8-2, while the Thunderbolts sit at 1-6. The 'Bolts play against the Bombers tomorrow, June 17th, at home against the College Park Bombers. The game is scheduled to start at 7 P.M.
Leave a comment