Written by Mahaley Wise

On Monday night, the Big Train and the Aces clashed at Frank Mann Field in Alexandria for the Game 2 of the Cal Ripken Sr. League Championship finals. The Big Train had taken the first game of the three-game series the night before, winning 10-4. The Aces looked to win and force a decisive Game 3 while the Big Train hoped to shut them down and take the league championship. Ultimately, the Big Train shut the Aces down, winning 15-3 to capture their third straight title and 12th in CRSCBL history.

After two scoreless innings, the Big Train opened up the scoring in the third with four runs. Matthew Westley started off with a hit by pitch to reach first, followed by Parker Corbin (Maryland), who hit an infield chopper. An error by the second baseman sent Westley to third and Corbin to second, putting two runners in scoring position. Alex Peltier (East Carolina) came to bat, threading a ball through the left infield to score Westley. Peltier drove in three runs in each game of the championship series, ultimately winning LCS Most Outstanding Player honors. 

“He was seeing the ball well,” head coach Sal Colangelo stated about Peltier’s performance in season and postseason. “You could tell especially in the semi-finals he was swinging the bat well…he can run, he can do it all.”

The Big Train continued to score in the third inning with a double to center field by Brennon Wright (South Alabama) to send home Corbin and Peltier.  With two outs, Wright scored another run on a hit by Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic). The Big Train now led the scoreless Aces, 4-0.

Bethesda struck again in the fourth inning, picking up a single run. Westley hit a grounder that was thrown away by the shortstop, giving him an extra base. Parker Corbin (Maryland) followed with a hard hit single to left center to send Westley home. 

Meanwhile, Big Train starter Connor Lehman (Alabama) delivered a strong performance on the mound, going six innings deep and allowing just two earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. 

“Connor has gotten better every time, every outing,” Colangelo said. “He got better every time he went out and that is what matters.”

In the fifth, the Aces began to chip away at the Big Train’s lead. The rally started with a single by Ernie Echevarria (UPenn) and two walks to load the bases for the Aces. Derek Almeda (Chaffey College) came to bat with two outs, looking to get Alexandria on the board. He delivered with a single to left to earn two RBIs. The Aces got two runs back from Big Train but still trailed, 5-2. 

The Big Train turned around and steamrolled the Aces in the sixth inning, getting five runs to make it 10-2. Peyton Steele (Alabama) started with a single. An error by the second baseman allowed John Martinez (Florida Atlantic) to reach first. Back-to-back singles by Westley and Corbin scored Steele and Martinez. Westley scored on a fielder’s choice while Corbin cruised in on a single from Wright. Josh Skowronski (Winthrop) singled to bring in the fifth run of the inning. The Aces were able to shut down Big Train, who left two runners on base, but now held a commanding eight-run lead.

“We knew their tendencies…they were swinging early, staying aggressive…just putting good wood on it and hopefully it would fall,” Colangelo remarked about his team’s offensive performance.

The Aces attempted another rally in the sixth inning. Gavin Degnan (UPenn) opened up with a leadoff single followed by a hit by pitch for Michael Powell (UPenn). The two baserunners moved in perfect unison, each stealing a base to put two men in scoring position. A sacrifice fly by DJ Scheumann (Ball State) scored Degnan. But the Big Train shut the Aces down with a final strikeout leaving two men on base. 

The Big Train kept tacking on runs in the seventh inning. They loaded the bases with three walks. Back-to-back singles by Peltier and Wright drove in two runs. A fielder’s choice allowed JJ Hand (Old Dominion) to score and Skowronski to reach first. Steele hit a single to score Peltier and Skowronski, making it another five run inning for Big Train, who now led 15-3.

The Aces had one final chance to close the gap in the bottom of the seventh but came up short, leaving a runner stranded. The Big Train held onto their twelve-run lead and sealed the championship as fans chanted from the stands: “Big Train! Big Train! Big Train!” Players rushed onto the field jumping, screaming, and crying with pure excitement. 

“They won the division, they won the regular season, and they won the tournament,” Colangelo said. “In summer baseball, to do that with a bunch of guys you don’t even know, to come together as a family, as one, as a team it is pretty amazing how it came together so soon. I am just blessed to be a small part of it. These guys are resilient,” Colangelo said.

“Winning is contagious…I hope they go back, every one of them and have great falls, have great success and great college seasons,” Colangelo said.