Bethesda Big Train manager Sal Colangelo was pleased with the final result of Monday’s game against the Vienna River Dogs — an early-season matchup of undefeated teams in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.
But it was the Big Train’s initial effort that had Colangelo voicing his displeasure.
Bethesda overcame a slow start and a 3-0 deficit to beat Vienna 10-5 in a six-inning, darkness-shortened contest at Gaithersburg High School. The Big Train improved to 4-0, but Colangelo said the team needs to improve its focus during road games.
“When we leave Bethesda, our guys need to realize they need to be ready to go,” said Colangelo, who is in his 17th season with the club. “They’re in a great situation in Bethesda: they have fans, they get spoiled, and when we get on the road we need to focus and be ready to go.”
Vienna scored three runs in the third inning without producing a hit and took a 3-0 lead. Bethesda countered with four runs in the fourth and led for the remainder of the contest.
Seven different batters had a hit for Bethesda. Shortstop Zach Kirtley (St. Mary’s College) and first baseman Harrison Crawford (Creighton) each had two RBIs.
Luis Collazo earned the win on the mound, allowing two earned runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings in relief.
Entering Tuesday's action, outfielder Matt Toscano (St. Mary’s College) was among the league leaders in batting average, producing at a .500 clip (7-14) through four games. Kirtley was batting .412 and led the league with seven RBIs.
Colangelo said Kirtley, and outfielders Logan Farrar (VCU) and Cody Brown (Mississippi State) are three of the team’s top players.
Bethesda has faced the Baltimore Redbirds in the last six league championship series. The Big Train won the first three, but the Redbirds have won the last three.
Colangelo said the Big Train’s goal is to win the South division, earn a top-two seed and avoid having to play a single-elimination game in the playoffs.
“If you play one team one game, anybody can beat you in this league [from] top to bottom,” Colangelo said. “You want to be that 1 [seed], get the bye, not have to worry about it, know you’re in a three-game series. In a three-game series, with the pitching depth we have, I like our odds.”
Bethesda was scheduled to face the Rockville Express on Tuesday, after The Almanac’s deadline. The Big Train will travel to face the D.C. Grays at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Washington Nationals Academy.