Justin Marraccini set the tone early, working six strong innings for the Mummers. The right-hander allowed just one run on five hits, struck out four, and walked one. He retired the side in order in the second and fifth innings, keeping Rake’s offense off balance just long enough to protect a slim lead. Quinn Erlandsen came on in the seventh to shut the door and earn the save.
The Mummers opened the scoring in the third without putting a ball in play — Bill Zentmayer worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home the game’s first run. It was the kind of at-bat that doesn’t make highlight reels but wins playoff games.
Rake answered right back in the fourth. Zach Neeld turned on a pitch and drove a triple down the right-field line to plate the tying run, briefly shifting momentum.
But in the bottom half of the inning, the Mummers regained the lead. A misplayed ball in the infield allowed a runner to score from third, giving Philly a 2–1 advantage — and, ultimately, the win.
Erlandsen did it all: closed the game on the mound and led the offense with a 2-for-4 night. Zentmayer drew a walk and knocked in a run, and Dylan Pope reached base twice via walk. The Mummers totaled six walks as a team and collected four hits.
Neeld’s RBI triple was Rake’s only extra-base hit. Ryan Madden, Bobby Hansen, Pat Kilgus, and Kevin Cronin also singled, but the offense stalled after the fourth. Starting pitcher Jordan Sesar kept things close, striking out seven over 3⅔ innings, but the damage was done.
With the win, the Mummers advance to the next round and face the Quakers.
Bandits Ride Early Offense and Wheeler’s Arm to 4–1 Playoff Win
The Philly Bandits didn’t waste time. And once they had the lead, they didn’t let it go.
In Monday’s first-round playoff matchup, the Bandits plated two early runs in the first inning, rode a five-inning scoreless gem from Owen Wheeler, and played clean defense in a 4–1 win over ASBA Futures at Munro Community Park.
Wheeler was sharp from the start, working with a quick tempo and pounding the zone. He allowed just one hit across five innings, struck out six, and didn’t walk a batter until the fourth. His only real jam came in the fifth when ASBA put a runner in scoring position, but he induced a groundout to escape.
The Bandits got all the runs they’d need in the first. Wyatt Spinks ripped a double down the right-field line to score one, and Gabe Caucci followed with a groundout to second that brought home another. They tacked on insurance runs in the third and fifth, capitalizing on a couple of defensive misplays and a wild pitch.
Sean Heissler took the mound in relief and closed out the final inning, allowing one hit and no walks.
Albert reached base in all three plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a walk from the leadoff spot. Spinks finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. The Bandits totaled four hits and drew three walks. They played a clean game in the field with no errors and turned a key double play in the fourth.
ASBA starter Tyler Iams matched Wheeler pitch-for-pitch after the rocky first, striking out six and walking two over five innings. His lone blemish was the shaky opening frame. Will Gural and Paul Daly each collected singles for ASBA, who scored their lone run in the sixth on a pair of groundouts after a leadoff single.
The Bandits move on to the semifinals to face the Bucks County Ghost.
The Philly Bandits didn’t waste time. And once they had the lead, they didn’t let it go.
In Monday’s first-round playoff matchup, the Bandits plated two early runs in the first inning, rode a five-inning scoreless gem from Owen Wheeler, and played clean defense in a 4–1 win over ASBA Futures at Munro Community Park.
Wheeler was sharp from the start, working with a quick tempo and pounding the zone. He allowed just one hit across five innings, struck out six, and didn’t walk a batter until the fourth. His only real jam came in the fifth when ASBA put a runner in scoring position, but he induced a groundout to escape.
The Bandits got all the runs they’d need in the first. Wyatt Spinks ripped a double down the right-field line to score one, and Gabe Caucci followed with a groundout to second that brought home another. They tacked on insurance runs in the third and fifth, capitalizing on a couple of defensive misplays and a wild pitch.
Sean Heissler took the mound in relief and closed out the final inning, allowing one hit and no walks.
Albert reached base in all three plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a walk from the leadoff spot. Spinks finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. The Bandits totaled four hits and drew three walks. They played a clean game in the field with no errors and turned a key double play in the fourth.
ASBA starter Tyler Iams matched Wheeler pitch-for-pitch after the rocky first, striking out six and walking two over five innings. His lone blemish was the shaky opening frame. Will Gural and Paul Daly each collected singles for ASBA, who scored their lone run in the sixth on a pair of groundouts after a leadoff single.
The Bandits move on to the semifinals to face the Bucks County Ghost.
