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Thursday, August 2

By Will Sisco

Entering Thursday's Championship Game of the 2007 Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series without a loss, the #2 Bethesda Big Train could have sealed the 2007 Championship by knocking off the one-loss #1 Rockville Express. But despite playing the semi-final game in 100-plus degree heat earlier in the afternoon, the Express offense showed no signs of fatigue, routing the Big Train, 9-0.

The Express scored early and often. Second baseman Pete Fatse (Connecticut) reached base to lead off the game on a walk before eventually scoring from third on a sacrifice groundout off the bat of catcher Steve Domecus (UC-Santa Barbara).

In a big fourth inning, the Express scored five runs on six hits including RBI doubles from both designated hitter Mike DeLeeuw (Garrett County) and third baseman Travis Babin (Sonoma State).

The next inning they tacked on three more runs on a hit, two walks, a hit batter, and an error to make the score 9-0 and put the game out of reach.

JR McAllister (Delaware State) was solid on the hill for Rockville, shutting out the Big Train over seven innings while striking out seven. Ryan Juran (Duquesne) closed out the game with two more shutout innings.

Bert Smith (Jacksonville State) and Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) each had two hits for Bethesda.

The 2007 League Championship will now be decided Friday night at Povich Field at 7:30 pm. The Express will be the home team.