The Fightin Quakers looked finished.
After carrying a five-run lead into the seventh inning Monday night in Doylestown, the Quakers watched the Philly Bandits Red College squad storm back with six runs in the top half of the inning to seize a 6-5 advantage.
They still found a way.
Pete Hoffman delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh, lifting the Fightin Quakers to a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Bandits in a game that featured dramatic momentum swings from start to finish.
The Quakers built an early lead with a five-run second inning. Hoffman started the rally with an RBI double before James Schaffer followed with a two-run double. Kyle Book added an RBI single and another run scored on a wild pitch as the Quakers grabbed control.
For six innings, that lead appeared secure.
Then everything changed.
The Bandits erupted for six runs in the top of the seventh, collecting four hits and capitalizing on several opportunities to take their first lead of the game. Aidan Zakarewicz delivered the biggest blow of the inning, ripping a two-run double on a full-count pitch to put the Bandits in front, 6-5.
The advantage lasted only a few minutes.
The Quakers responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Matt Stern drove home the tying run, setting the stage for Hoffman, who lined a single to bring home the winning run and complete the comeback.
Hoffman finished with two hits and two RBIs, providing the decisive offensive spark for the Quakers. Schaffer also drove in two runs, while Book added an RBI as part of the five-run second inning.
Despite the loss, the Bandits outhit the Quakers, 6-5. Zakarewicz paced the offense with two hits and two RBIs.
Pat Dougherty earned the victory in relief for the Quakers. Ryan Paolella also played a key role out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings before the seventh-inning rally.
The Quakers showed patience throughout the night, drawing eight walks and swiping four bases. Braeden Black and Nate Gilson each reached via walk twice.
The victory sends the Fightin Quakers into Wednesday's matchup against Philly Bandits Black College with momentum, while the Bandits will look to bounce back against Total Skills Tropics 18U.
Elsewhere, Trailing on multiple occasions and facing an ASSA Futures Collegiate Team that outhit them 8-4, the Tropics capitalized on late opportunities and pushed across the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to earn a 4-3 victory Monday.
The difference came in the bottom of the sixth.
With the game tied, the Tropics manufactured two runs without recording an extra-base hit. Kyle Schiwall worked a walk to begin the rally before Bobby Seaner reached on an infield single. An ASSA error helped keep the inning alive, and a passed ball eventually brought home the go-ahead run, giving the Tropics a 4-3 advantage they would not relinquish.
ASSA struck first in the opening inning when Brandon Dunbar doubled home a run to give his club an early lead.
The Tropics answered immediately. Mark Selverian drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 1-1.
The teams traded runs as the game moved into the middle innings. Luca Cavaliere delivered a run-scoring double in the fifth to put ASSA back in front, continuing a strong day at the plate for the Futures' ninth-place hitter.
Cavaliere finished 3-for-3 and led ASSA's eight-hit attack. Paul Daly added two hits, while Dunbar, Drew Brown, and Cavaliere each drove in a run.
Despite the offensive production, ASSA was unable to hold the lead late.
The Tropics made the most of their opportunities throughout the afternoon. Seaner paced the offense with a 3-for-3 performance.
Connor Hill started for ASSA and allowed one unearned run over three innings while striking out three. The Futures also flashed the leather, turning three double plays.
In the end, however, the Tropics proved more efficient than explosive.
Out-hit by four and trailing late, they used patience at the plate, aggressive baserunning, and timely execution in the sixth inning to steal a one-run victory.
The Tropics return to action Tuesday against the Philly Mummers, while ASSA faces Rake Baseball looking to bounce back from a tough late-inning defeat.
