The Philly Bandits Black College team didn't wait long to seize control Tuesday night in Bensalem.
Frankie Decembrino launched a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone for a 13-6 victory over Total Skills.
The Bandits' offense erupted for 10 runs over the second and third innings, turning a close game into a comfortable lead.
After Decembrino's first-inning blast, the Bandits plated five runs in the second. Joey Markey drove in a run with a double, Matt Evans followed with an RBI triple, Will Henderson ripped a two-run double, and Gavin Grasso added a sacrifice fly to push the advantage to 7-0.
The Tropics responded in the top of the third, cutting into the deficit with a five-run inning. Gustitos delivered a two-run single, Lykes added an RBI double, and Peake capped the rally with a two-run single to make it a two-run game.
Any momentum generated by the Tropics was short-lived.
The Bandits answered immediately with another five-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning. Evans doubled home two runs, Henderson lined a two-run single, and Finn Kopp added an RBI double as the lead ballooned back to 12-5.
Ryan Trader earned the victory for the Bandits, allowing three hits and five runs over three innings while striking out three and walking four. Kopp provided relief work after Trader's departure.
The Bandits finished with 13 hits. Henderson paced the offense with four RBIs while going 2-for-4. Decembrino, Evans, Markey, and Henderson each collected two hits. Evans added two stolen bases, while Kenny Lutz reached base repeatedly and drew three walks as part of a six-walk night for the Bandits.
Total Skills received two RBIs apiece from A. Lykes, A. Gustitos, and Justin Peake. Daniel Giordano led the Tropics with two hits, while Wyatt Spinks drew two walks.
The Bandits will return to action Thursday when they travel to face the Philly Mummers.
In other action, the Philly Bandits Red College team found itself chasing the game from the opening inning Tuesday night.
Rake sent nine hitters to the plate in the bottom of the first and scored four times, building a lead it would never relinquish on the way to a 7-2 victory.
Rake did its damage with a combination of timely hitting and patience at the plate. Pat Kilgus started the scoring with a two-run groundout before Matt Gonglik and Connor Dunn followed with RBI singles, giving Rake a quick 4-0 advantage.
That first-inning surge proved more than enough support for Rake's pitching staff, which limited the Bandits to just two hits all evening.
CJ Clauss took the loss for the Bandits after allowing four runs in the opening inning. Heisler provided valuable relief work, covering three innings while striking out three.
The Bandits finally broke through in the seventh when Sean Burke battled through a six-pitch at-bat before driving a solo home run to right field. Burke accounted for one of the club's two hits and finished with an RBI. Brian Klumpp also drove in a run, while Aidan Zakarewicz collected the other Bandits hit.
Rake finished with nine hits and drew nine walks, constantly applying pressure throughout the game. Gonglik drove in two runs, while Ryan Madden paced the offense with a pair of hits. The club was equally aggressive on the bases, stealing five bags, including two by Bobby Hansen.
The Bandits Red College team returns to action Monday when it travels to face Rake.
