Big Train Wins Round One

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COLUMBUS, Ga. — Anniston Star Staff Reports
The East Alabama Big Train won their opener of the Great South League tournament, beating the Athens (Ga.) Pirates 4-3.Stephen Groves hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Andrew Brook with two outs.East Alabama led 3-0 after the bottom of the fourth before giving up three runs in the top of the sixth.Joey Moeller picked up the win in relief, going 1 1/3 innings. Starter Trey Vice (pictured) had a no-hitter through five innings before he surrendered three runs in the sixth. Vice struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.Brook finished 2-for-3 with two runs, Groves was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs , Byne Goodin was 2-for-3 with an RBI, Caleb Bowen was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Saxon Butler went 1-for-3 with a run.

Playoffs Begin Thursday

The Big Train opens their playoff run against the Athens Pirates at 10:30 Central Time in Columbus, GA. The remaining schedule is below.

Thursday July 30-
Game 1: 9:00am- St. Augustine Saints(8) v. Thomasville Bombers(9)
Game 2: 11:30am- E. Alabama Big Train(2) v. Athens Pirates(7)
Game 3: 2:00pm- Windward Blue(3) v. Newnan Braves(6)
Game 4: 4:30pm- Augusta Nationals(4) v. Florida Legends(5)
Game 5: 7:00pm -Columbus WoodBats(1) and the winner of game 1
Game 6: 9:30pm- Loser of game 1 and loser of game 2

Friday July 31-
Game 7: 9:00am -Loser of game 4 and loser of game 5
Game 8: 11:30am- Winner of game 6 and Loser of game 3
Game 9: 2:00pm- Winner of game 2 and winner of game 3
Game 10: 4:30pm- Winner of game 7 and loser of game 9
Game 11: 7:00pm- Winner of game 4 and winner of game 5
Game 12: 9:30pm- Winner of game 8 and loser of game 11

Saturday August 1-
Game 13: 9:00am- Winner of games 9 and winner of game 11
Game 14: 11:30pm- Winner of games 10 and winner of game 12
Game 15: 2:00pm-Loser game 13 and winner game 14
Game 16: 4:30 pm- Winner of game 13 and 15
Game 17: 7:00pm - Winner of game 16 and loser of game 16( if necessary)

Seed 1- Columbus WoodBats
Seed 2- E. Alabama Big Train
Seed 3- Windward Blue
Seed 4- Nationals
Seed 5- Legends
Seed 6- Newnan
Seed 7- Pirates
Seed 8- Saints
Seed 9- Thomasville Bombers

Sunday Split

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The Big Train split with the Columbus Woodbats on Sunday, winning the first game 1-0 before losing 9-7 in the nightcap. More info pending..

Big Train Splits on Saturday

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The East Alabama Big Train split in Saturday's doubleheader against Newnan on Saturday at Heritage School. During the first game the Big Train lost a close one 0-2 while taking the nightcap 2-0.

Big Train Downs Newnan, 2-1

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photo courtesy of The Times-Herald by Bob Fraley
The East Alabama Big Train won a tight contest in Newnan, Georgia by defeating the homestanding Braves 2-1. Steven Groves drove in Andrew Brooke for the Train's first run in the 2nd inning while Jud Edwards scored the winning run in the 5th off a passed ball. The Braves tied the game in the second when Michael Burruss reached home off an RBI by Brandon Miller. Trey Vice (3.552) recorded the win for the Train by pitching 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, and 1 earned run. Adam Polston came in relief for Vice pitching 3 shutout innings. The Braves kept fighting as they loaded the bases in the 9th, however, the third out came with a pop fly to third to seal the victory. The two teams meet again on Saturday in two 7 inning double-headers.
The Great South League postseason tournament will begin Thursday at Golden Park in Columbus. Seeding for the first round of the three day event will be determined Monday.

Big Train Swept for the First Time this Season

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Fatigue and road weariness seem to be the flavor of the day as the 26-4 Big Train fell to Columbus 12-0 and 3-0 at Columbus. The Big Train has a few days off before they play at Newnan on Friday night.

Big Train Sweeps Braves

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The East Alabama Big Train swept the Newnan Braves by taking Saturdays double-header at Henry Farms Park. The first game saw pitcher Kelby Deerman go 6 2/3 innings giving up only 1 run before being relieved by Joey Moelhler who picked up the win. Saxon Butler (pictured) drove in the game winning RBI scoring Jono Waugh to secure the 2-1 win in the 10th inning of the opening game. Butler seemed in form as he went 3 for 5 while Byne Goodinwent 2 for 4.
Reliever Adam Polston got the win in the second game as the Big Train won 13-5. Waugh went 3 for 4 and Byne was 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's.

This weekend basically locked up first place in the Western Division of the Great South league with 6 games remaining in the regular season. The Big Train then heads to the league playoffs which will be held in Columbus, Georgia at Golden Field where over 5,000 fans watched the the Friday and Saturday night games on the 4th of July weekend. The Big Train's final home games will be next Sunday against the Columbus Woodbats and Tuesday against the Windward Braves. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the Big Train as they head to the playoffs.

Big Train Camp Heads to Oxford

East Alabama Big Train Summer Baseball Camp

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO SLIDESHOW OF LAST WEEK'S CAMP

This is a great opportunity for any young ball player and a great way to support the East Alabama Big Train

July 20-23 9:00 a.m.-12:00 at Oxford Lake in Oxford, AL
Camp Rate: $100 a week or $ 30 per day.
Mechanics of Hitting ** Pitching ** Defense **Base Running **
Players will be divided by Age & Skills
The goal of the our camp is to improve skills and knowledge of the game of baseball regardless of age while being involved with College players and learning from them .

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND TRAINING SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE no age limit:

Clilck Here for Click Here for Oxford Camp Registration Form

Call or Email us at: 404-379-4729
Email: curtisbumgarner@yahoo.com

Groves 9th Inning Single Lifts Big Train to 3-2 Win !!

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What a night !!! What a week !!! The East Alabama Big Train came from behind to defeat a powerful Newnan,GA Braves squad3-2 in the bottom of the night. Steven Groves had the game winning RBI as his hard hit single drove in Saxon Butler to end the contest. Big Train starter Trey Vice pitched 6 innings giving up 3 hits and 2 runs before leaving the mound for David White who pitched 2 and 2/3 innings. Closer Joey Mohler got the final out and the win for the Big Train who now are 24-4 on the year and solidly leading the Great South League'sWestern Division. The game was stopped for about 2 minutes due to a cloud burst but play quickly resumed. Curtis Bumgarner, GM and CEO of the Big Train was extremely pleased with the result. "That's the way to get it done"quoted Bumbarner as Groves ripped the game winner. The Big Train players have played 3 days in a row starting on Wednesday. Tonight will cap the series with a double-header beginning at 5 pm. One of the most amazing aspects of thisweek however, has been the fact that the players have been running a camp for kids from 9 am- 12 noon since Monday.The Big Train will host a second camp at Oxford this week beginning Monday.

Big Train Notches another Win over Cobb

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Pitcher Malcom Thomas had the “right stuff” as he led the East Alabama Big Train to an 11-4 victory over the Cobb Premier Stars Thursday night at Henry Farms Park. He allowed one earned run in the 3 hit outing and struck out 8. The Train was led at the plate by Josh Dabbs, Jono Waugh, and Qualon Millender who tallied two RBI’s each. Andrew Brooke also had two hits on the evening. The Big Train plays a very important match tonight at Henry Farms Park against the Newnan Braves. The first pitch is at 6 pm.

Elwell Leads Train to 9-4 Win over Stars

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Kevin Elwell pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up only 3 runs to lead the East Alabama Big Train to a 9-4 Win over the Cobb Premier Stars. Steven Grooves and Andrew Brook pounded two home runs as well to bolster Elwell's performance. Andrew Polston came in in relief for Elwell. The Big Train now sits atop the Western Conferences of the Great South League with a 22-4 record. The Train host the Stars again tomorrow night at Henry Farms and face the Newnan Braves on Friday and Saturday at home.

Big Train's No-Hitter Caps Off Split with Royals

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This Saturday was a unique experience for the Big Train. Injuries, family commitments, and medical situations left the Big Train with 11 players on the roster to battle the AWBIL Royals in Jonesboro, Georgia. Pitchers Kelby Deerman and Trey Vice were called into service as 1st basemen and actually hit in the line-up for the Big Train. In the first game, the Big Train suffered only their 4th loss of the season by losing to the Royals 3-4 in extra-innings. However, the Big Train would not be discouraged. Adam Polston (photo) pitched 5 outstanding innings of no-hit baseball before being relieved by Trey Vice who finished the deal to give the Big Train a 9-0 victory in the no-hitter. The Big Train hopes to have the majority of the team back in the line-up as they face the Cobb Premier Stars on Wednesday and Thursday before facing the Newnan Braves on Friday and Saturday. If these four in row weren’t tough enough, the Train faces Columbus in a make-up game on Sunday. All of these games will be played at Henry Farms Park in Jacksonville, AL.

BIG TRAIN YOUTH BASEBALL CAMPS ROLLING INTO A TOWN NEAR YOU

East Alabama Big Train Summer Baseball Camp
This is a great opportunity for any young ball player and a great way to support the East Alabama Big Train
July 13-16 9:00 a.m.-12:00 at Henry Farm Park in Jacksonville, AL
July 20-23 9:00 a.m.-12:00 at Oxford Lake in Oxford, AL

Camp Rate: $100 a week or $ 30 per day.

Mechanics of Hitting ** Pitching ** Defense **Base Running **

Players will be divided by Age & Skills

The goal of the our camp is to improve skills and knowledge of the game of baseball regardless of age while being involved with College players and learning from them .
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND TRAINING SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE no age limit:
Clilck Here for Jacksonville Camp Registration Form
Click Here for Oxford Camp Registration Form

Call or Email us at:
404-379-4729
Email: curtisbumgarner@yahoo.com

Fireworks Continue as the Big Train Celebrates the Nations' Birthday with an 8-4 Victory over Columbus

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Photo by Christa Turner, Anniston Star and Leanne Vice, BT Blog Photographer -

Article by BT Fan
It was a great night for baseball at Columbus’ Golden Field as the East Alabama Big Train downed the homestanding Wood Bats 8-4 to win the second straight contest between what had been the two co-leaders of the Western Division of the Great South League. Now the Big Train is in sole possession of 1st place. Nearly 4,000 spectators were present including over 2,000 soldiers from Fort Benning, GA. . It was a stirring evening as both teams honored the troops on the birthday of our nation. The Wood Bats actually donned camouflage jerseys to show their support. Saxton Butler led the Big Train, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Josh Dabbs scored two runs and Caleb Bowen drove in two. Kelby Deerman earned the win working 7 innings and giving up only 4 runs. Reliever Joey Mohler pitched the final two innings. Kevin Ruiz led Columbus with a 2-4 performance at the plate.
Bo Callaway, CEO of the Columbus Baseball Foundation and former Secretary of the Army told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: “Fort Benning couldn’t be a greater supporter of the WoodBats than they are,” Wood Bats president Jim White said. “This is a well-deserved break (for the soldiers). This is the perfect day for it.”
The Big Train players seemed impressed with the crowd and the atmosphere; Trey Vice, who pitched a 4 hit victory the night before stated: “It was awesome, there was close to 4,000 people here tonight”.
The Third and Final Game on Sunday has been rescheduled due to Rain.

Big Train Wins Big

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by Anniston Star Staff Reports
COLUMBUS, Ga. — The East Alabama Big Train improved to 19-3 on the season with a 7-inning, 15-3 thumping of Columbus on Friday.
Trey Vice pitched all seven innings for the Big Train, allowing only four hits and two earned runs.
East Alabama had 17 hits as a team.Steven Groves was 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI, Judd Edwards was 2-for-5 with two runs and Andrew Brook was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.

15-3 Win Puts Train "On Track"

The East Alabama Big Train defeated the Thomasville Bombers 15-3 to notch their 18th win of the season. The "Track" runs to Columbus this weekend as the Big Train heads into historic Golden Park (built 1926) for a great weekend of baseball and Fourth of July fun. Thousands are expected for the weekend series between the two leaders of the Western Division of the GSL .

9-0 Win Gives Bombers 17-3 Record, Conference Best

The East Alabam Big Train defeated the Thomasville Bombers 9-0 tonight to improve their record to a phenomenal 17-3. Joey Mohler got the win on the mound for the Big Train. The Train plays tomorrow at 12 noon at Henry Farms.

Cobb Stars Latest Victim as Big Train Notches 16th Win in 13-1 Slug/Pitchfest

The Big Train defeated the Cobb Premier Stars 13-1 in GSL action Tuesday. This gives the Train a 16-3 record going into the all important weekend series with co-leaders Columbus. Kevin Elwell (pictured), Scott Sanford, Jeff Poole, and Trey Vice were the pitchers on the day with Elwell securing the win by giving up only 3 hits and no runs in 5 innings. Sanford held the Stars scoreless for two innings. Poole relinquished the sole run on a first pitch homerun. After that, he held the Stars scoreless. Vice faced four batters, striking out two. One reached on an error in the 9th. Judd Edwards had 4 RBI's and went 4-for-5 at the plate for the Train. Josh Dabb, Saxton Butler, and Jono Waugh also paced the train at the plate. The Train will play today against non-conference opponent Thomasville at Henry farm at 6 pm. The train will host Thomasville Thursday @ noon.