Bethesda Big Train

The Big Train celebrated their seventh CRSCBL title in eight seasons last year, and look to repeat as champions this year. Photo by Brandon Lauchnor.

By Jack Stashower

Manager: Sal Colangelo

2024: 21-15 (2nd in North Division, Won League Championship)

First Game: Wednesday, June 4 vs. D.C. Grays

Last summer, the Bethesda Big Train concluded their 25th anniversary season with their 11th Cal Ripken Sr. League championship. This summer, their goal remains the same: to win it all again. 

A key to any successful championship side is retention, and manager Sal Colangelo knows that. Among the few coming back to Shirley Povich Field are 2024 Big Train Hitter of the Year Emilio Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic), pitcher Brandon Cassedy (George Mason), concessions intern turned pitcher Trevor Orth (Roanoke College), and catcher Cole Constable (Quinnipiac University).

“Anytime you can get a few returning players, what we’re getting is just great human beings, kids that are leaders.” Colangelo said. 

One of the players Colangelo gave praise to is standout Winthrop sophomore Josh Skowronski, who batted an impressive .305 this spring with 13 home runs and 29 runs batted in. 

The Big Train has always had a strong connection to the University of Maryland with this summer being no different. Four Terrapins are making their CRSCBL debuts this summer: pitcher James Gladden, catcher Jacob Hauk, infielder Parker Corbin, and outfielder Liam Willson. 

Infielder Brennon Wright joins the Big Train after a successful junior college season at Meridian CC, where he batted .320 and had an on-base percentage of .437 in 43 games. In 162 plate appearances, Wright only struck out 16 times, putting his strikeout percentage at under 10%. 

Gonzalez will look to lead the infield with experience, as he is joined by Corbin and John Martinez from Florida Atlantic. Martinez’s spring highlight was recording five RBIs in one game versus Bucknell. 

A trio of catchers suit up for the Big Train this summer. Constable brings experience behind home plate. He had a successful spring at the plate, batting a respectable .308 and throwing out 10 runners behind the backstop. He is joined by Hauk from the Terps and Dylan Murphy (Florida Atlantic).  

Pitcher Bradley Ferrell comes to Bethesda after his freshman season with the University of Kentucky. In 2024, the Indiana-born pitcher was ranked as the state’s fourth-best high school pitching prospect . 

Two Crimson Tide players join the pitching staff this season. Jack Ketchum and Connor Lehamn were both top ranked pitchers in their respective states (Mississippi, Tennessee) before sharing the field this spring in Tuscaloosa. Jack will be reunited with his brother, Cole Ketchum, who joins the Big Train after a spring season with rival SEC side Ole Miss. 

An outfielder to look out for is Peyton Steele, who just finished his freshman season with a .333 batting average with the University of Alabama. In his first career start, Steele homered against the No. 23 ranked Southern Miss Golden Eagles, finishing the game 2-for-4 at the plate.

Skowronski is the only returning player in the outfield. Along with Steele, he is joined by Brett Ott (Sacramento State), Alex Peltier (East Carolina), and Willson.  

When asked about goals for the season, Colangelo emphasized his three basic principles for success on the field: throwing strikes, catching the baseball, and executing the basic fundamentals of baseball.

“We don’t need to throw 95. We don’t need to have a spin rate of 2500. We just need to get the out.” Colangelo said. “That’s what we try to instill in the guys so when they leave here they go back to their teams and find success.” 

The Big Train make their season debut on Wednesday, June 4 versus the D.C. Grays at Shirley Povich Field.