The Senators celebrate as the go-ahead run crosses home in the ninth inning. Photo by Maya Brichacek  

Written by Mahaley Wise

In a thrilling opener to the CRSCBL semifinals, the Big Train seemed poised for victory, jumping out to an early lead with clutch hits and lockdown defense. However, the Senators refused to fold. With their backs against the wall, they ignited a stunning ninth-inning rally, took the lead with four runs, and secured the win in dramatic fashion, 7-6. They now lead the best-of-three semifinal series 1-0. 

The Senators scored in the top of the first inning, marking an aggressive start to the game. Nick Flores (VCU) opened with a leadoff double to set the tempo. Logan Tribble (Wofford) followed with a single to put runners on the corners. With two outs, Tribble worked himself into a pickle between first and second base, getting tagged out, but not before Flores could score to earn the first run of the game.

The Big Train responded at the bottom of the inning, earning a run to tie the game. A leadoff double by Alex Peltier (East Carolina) created momentum on the bases. Josh Skowronski (Winthrop) struck a single to put Peltier on third. Another single delivered by Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic) got the job done, earning Big Train their first run of the game. 

In the fourth inning, The Big Train broke the two-inning tie with two runs. Peyton Steele (Alabama) was hit by a pitch to advance to first. Designated hitter Brett Ott (Sacramento State) hit a soaring triple to send Steele home, breaking the tie. Big Train tacked on another run on a single by John Martinez (Florida Atlantic). 

The Big Train continued to tack on security in the fifth inning. A hit by pitch put Peltier on first base, and he advanced to second on a passed ball. Brennon Wright (South Alabama) powered a single to put runners on the corners. A fielder's choice allowed Peltier to score a run for the Big Train. The Senators worked their way out of the inning with a strikeout while Bethesda stranded two men on base, leaving behind a scoring opportunity. 

The Senators begin to close the gap in the sixth inning with a single run. Steven Kraus (Binghamton) delivered a leadoff double followed by a single from Danny Surowiec (Boston College) to put runners on the corners.  A double play brought in Kraus to score but eliminated the runner on first. The Senators were unable to produce any additional runs, keeping Big Train in the lead, 4-2. 

The Big Train earned the run back in the bottom of the inning. Two hit by pitches put runners on first and second for Big Train. A single by Peltier loaded the bases, putting pressure on the Senators. A sacrifice fly by Wright scored Martinez, making it 5-2.

The Senators continued to chip away at the Big Train’s lead in the seventh. An error by the second baseman allowed Flores to reach first. Back-to-back singles by Adam Troch (Duke) and Tribble loaded the bases for the Senators. Surowiec was hit by a pitch, sending the runners cycling around the bases to bring home a run. The Big Train worked their way out of the inning, while the Senators left three men on, missing out on an opportunity to overcome their opponent’s lead, leaving the score at 5-3. 

Senators Head Coach Scott Middleton told his team during the game, “Let's stay aggressive. Keep getting on base…take advantage of the bunt, small ball. We talked about that before the game and during the game…We are going to get the hits.”

The Big Train continued to push in the seventh inning, advancing their lead to three runs again. Back-to-back walks by Gonzalez and Ott created a scoring opportunity for the team with a runner in position. Martinez delivered with a double to send Gonzalez home. A walk by Parker Corbin (Maryland) loaded the bases for Big Train. Nevertheless, the Senators worked their way out of the inning with a double play to allow only one run. 

But the Senators refused to let up. They scored four runs in the ninth inning to take a 7-6 lead and squeezing the Big Train into a final bottom half of the frame. Two hit by pitches and a walk loaded the bases for the Senators with two outs, giving them one last chance to take the lead. Carter Groen (La Salle) worked a walk to score the first run and cut into the Big Train’s lead, making it 6-4. Jax Nichols (Motlow State CC) hit a clutch single to drive in two runs, and an error by the center fielder allowed the go-ahead run to score. Big Train fans sat in shock as they watched their nine-inning lead disappear. 

When asked about the rally in the ninth inning, Middleton stated, “We are finding ways to earn runs…In a couple of games, we had to fight like this, and this is a team that I remember doing the stretch. They fought, they battled, they found a way to get on, they made the pitchers work.” 

In the bottom of the ninth, the Big Train came to bat one run behind after leading the entire game. The Senators worked two outs against Big Train, seeking the final out to take the win. A broken bat and a groundout gave them the final out and secured them the victory against the heartbroken Big Train. 

A dramatic twist that only baseball can deliver got the Senators their first win in a three-game series against Big Train. The teams will play again Friday night with the Senators as the home team. Another Southern Maryland win would send them to the LCS finals for the second straight year. 

“Great game. Way to fight. Way to come back. Huge win…We've got to come back with the same mindset. We can’t already think that we are there because [the Big Train] are going to be coming after us. Just a great game,” concluded Middleton.