BANDITS BOMB THE SOX
The Brisbane Bandits mercy ruled the Sydney Blue Sox tonight at the RNA Showgrounds, winning their second game of their Round Two Australian Baseball League Series, winning 10-0 in seven innings.
After being defeated by the Blue Sox in last night’s home season opener, the Bandits came into today’s game with a vengeance, which was evident from the very first inning when the Bandits bats ignited.
Matthew Roxburgh was the first to score for the Bandits, when a line drive from Josh Roberts off Sydney starting pitcher Wayne Lundgren, drove him home. Roberts scored in the next at-bat when Brad Dutton singled to center field. Keiji Nakahara doubled and brought Dutton home before Joel Naughton’s fly ball to center field saw Nakahara cross the plate; completing the inning with a four-run lead in the Bandits favour.
Matthew Roxburgh was again the first and only Bandit to score in the second inning, offering up a solo home run to center field which had Bandits fans out of their seats.
Alex Maestri was a stand-out on the mound for the Bandits, striking out a dazzling 10 batters in his 5 and 1/3 innings of work. The Italian import won his second straight start to improve his record to 2-0 on the young season.
The Bandits bats lit up again in the 4th inning, and it was Joel Naughton who lit the fuse with a line drive to start the inning. He later scored off a Taisei Makihara sacrifice fly to left field. Josh Roberts brought home Wade Dutton before his brother Brad Dutton batted in Roxburgh with a fly-ball to left field; prompting a pitching change for Sydney which saw Matthew Rae replace Wayne Lundgren. Josh Roberts was the fourth Bandit to score in that inning, advancing the Bandits lead to 9-0 in the bottom of the fourth.
Bandits added their final insult in the bottom of the 5th when Softbank Hawks star Nakahara blasted a solo shot.
“It was great to get early run support for Maestri,” said Bandits manager Kevin Jordan.
“And what can you say about the Italian Stallion. 2 ABL starts, 2 ABL wins. It’s going to be an exciting season.”
The Bandits will face the Blue Sox again tomorrow night in Game 3 of the four-game series from 6.00pm.