Written by Jack Stashower

The Bethesda Big Train defeated the Southern Maryland Senators 8-0 at Shirley Povich Field on Thursday, increasing their winning streak to 11.

The Senators came into Thursday’s contest with a 14-11 record. Their last game was a 14-1 loss to the Gaithersburg Giants on Sunday at Criswell Automotive Field. The Big Train entered with a 21-6 record, their last game a 6-5 win over the Alexandria Aces at home on Monday.

In the bottom of the second, the Big Train got rolling with three quick runs. Two of them came off the bat of John Martinez (Florida Atlantic), whose double down the left field line brought in Logan Ponnett (UNC Charlotte) and Peyton Steele (Alabama). A groundout by Dylan Murphy (Florida Atlantic) brought home Martinez and the third run of the inning.

The Big Train added two more in the bottom of the fourth off of bases-loaded walks. Josh Skowronski (Winthrop) walked to bring in Martinez, increasing the lead to four. Murphy came home on a walk to Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic) to make the score 5-0. 

Big Train starter Adekide Adetuyi (Florida Atlantic) was superb on the mound, throwing five scoreless innings, striking out three and only allowing two hits. 

The Big Train added one more run in the bottom of the sixth off another bases loaded walk. With a runner on, Skowronski hit a deep double off the wall in right field to bring runners to second and third with two outs. After Gonzalez walked to load the bases, Ponnett remained patient at the plate and walked, bringing in Matthew Westley for the Big Train’s sixth run. 

In the bottom of the seventh, the Big Train got their last two runs of the game. Like the last three runs scored, the Senators walked these runs in too. Brett Ott (Sacramento State) walked to bring in Parker Corbin (Maryland) and make it 7-0. In the next plate appearance, Gonzalez walked, bringing in Alex Peltier (East Carolina) to increase the lead to eight. From there, the Big Train bullpen finished the job. 

Relievers James Beasley (Princeton), Tanner Kaler (UNC Charlotte), and James Gladden (Maryland) all excelled in their appearances on the mound. In his two innings on the bump, Beasley collected three strikeouts and only gave up two walks. Gladden in the top of the ninth struck out three Senators after hitting the second batter he faced. Combined, the Big Train bullpen gave up zero hits. 

Thursday’s game was a night to remember for members of the Florida Atlantic 2025 baseball team, with five of the eight runs coming off of Owl bats, and the winning pitcher (Adetuyi) paving the way for the Big Train on the mound. 

Big Train Head Coach Sal Colangelo complemented the resolve of his team after the game. 

“They’re in a very uncomfortable situation being in an area they’ve never been, but you’re never going to become comfortable unless you put yourself in uncomfortable situations,” Colangelo said. “We try to put them in those situations on and off the field and they’re just resilient, and most importantly, they’re great kids. I couldn’t be any happier.”

Both teams return to the diamond on Friday. The Senators will look to find an offensive surge in a doubleheader versus the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field. The Big Train will look to keep the winning streak going on the road against the Alexandria Aces at Frank Mann Field.