The fireworks came early and often for the ASBA Futures Collegiate squad on Monday evening, as they pounded out 12 hits and rode a relentless offensive surge to a 12-4 win over Rake Collegiate in Radnor.
It was Paul Daly who got things started — and he didn’t waste time. With one on and one out in the first, Daly launched a two-run homer over the left-field fence to erase an early 1-0 deficit and put ASBA ahead for good.
Rake had jumped out to a brief lead in the top of the first, thanks to a Ryan Madden RBI single. They even clawed back to tie things at 3-3 in the third — with the help of a Bobby Hansen sac fly and a defensive miscue — but that was as close as it got.
ASBA answered right back in the bottom half of the third. Daly struck again with a base hit, and Tyler Iams followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 5-3.
Rake’s Matt Gonglik added a bit of drama in the fourth, launching a solo homer to left, but then came the knockout punch.
The bottom of the fifth was all ASBA. Five runs, four hits, a pair of walks, a groundout RBI, and even a run scoring on a passed ball — a full-blown offensive clinic. Iams collected another RBI hit, and Daly capped off a stellar afternoon, finishing 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
On the mound, Iams was just as effective. He scattered five hits over seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking none. Efficient and in control.
Cameron Visconto got the start for Rake and struggled with command, issuing four walks while allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits over four innings.
Offensively, Rake received contributions from five different hitters — Madden, Gonglik, Zach DiMario, Zach Neeld, and Robert Del Buono — but couldn't piece together sustained rallies. Gonglik’s solo blast was the lone extra-base hit.
ASBA’s offense, meanwhile, was locked in from the jump. Jacob Ruddell, Patrick McNerney, and Owen Ripple all chipped in multi-hit games. Jaydan Duncan drew a pair of walks, part of ASBA’s six free passes on the day.
