By Scott Zolotorow
BETHESDA, MD — Despite a four-run, ninth inning by the Baltimore Redbirds, the Bethesda Big Train were able to complete the 8-6 win after a brilliant outing from starter Taylor Stiles (Maryland). With the win the Big Train improve to a league-best, 18-1 record. The Redbirds came into the game in second place at 11-7. The Big Train scored two runs in each of the first, second, fourth, and fifth innings to take a quick 8-1 lead. Stiles won his third game of the season as he went five innings, allowing one unearned run on just four hits and a walk, while striking out five.
The Big Train bats were also on display. Lead-off hitter Stephen Alemais (Tulane) was 3-3 with two RBI and scored two runs. They got to Redbirds starter Willie Rios (Maryland) for six runs through four innings. In the second inning, Kevin Tatum (Cornell) doubled twice in the game while going 2-2 and scoring three runs. Cody Brown (Mississippi State) led off the fifth inning with a long home run to deep left field, which was followed by a Tatum double. He scored on an Alemais sac-fly to give the Big Train the 8-1 lead.
Logan Farrar (VCU) and Wes Rea (Mississippi State) each drove in a pair for the Big Train. Farrar, who leads the league with 19 RBI, also stole three bases in the game. For the Redbirds, Gavin Sheets (Wake Forest), the son of former Oriole Larry Sheets, went 3-4 with an RBI. He missed a home run to dead centerfield by a matter of inches in theeighth inning as his deep fly clanged off the top of the tall fence in centerfield. He settled for a double and the Redbirds were unable to bring him around, which at the time seemed meaningless with the Redbirds down 8-2.
The Big Train bullpen was spotless from until the Redbirds put four on the board in the ninth against Will Resnik. But with the bases loaded and only one out, Bethesda turned to Devin Loomis who recorded two quick outs for his first save of the season. An interesting fun fact, both teams’ starting pitchers and catchers all are from the University of Maryland: Taylor Stiles, Justin Morris, Willie Rios, and Nic Cierri.
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