By By Chandler Myers
Things ended for the South Alabama Bandits almost exactly how they started in the ASP Preseason Bash Championship game as they lost their second game of the weekend to the Niceville Traveling Eagles 7-6 on Sunday in Niceville, Fla.
The loss was much closer than the first game where the Bandits (5-3) were shutout by the Eagles.
The game started rough for the Bandits, as their first six batters were retired three up and three down.
At the top of the third, the Bandits trailed the Eagles 2-0, but managed to get Tristan McAnally and Brandon Broussard around the bases to tie the game at two. McAnally hit 2-for-2 in the game with a double and a single, while Broussard hit 1-for-3 with a double in the win.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bandits took control of the game scoring four runs via Chad Broussard, Trey McGhee, Austin Chastang and Tyler Cameron. Broussard had a 1-for-1 outing with a single. McGhee reached base on a walk, while Chastang hit 1-for-3 and slapped a triple into center field. Cameron hit 2-for-3 with a double, single and a run scored in the loss.
Bandits 9
Sandgnats 3
Atmore’s South Alabama Bandits easily moved into the championship game at the ASP Preseason Bash after hammering the North Florida Sandgnats 9-3 in the semi-finals on Sunday.
The Bandits (5-2) delivered tons of offense in the win with 15 hits from seven players.
Coby Smith started things off in the first inning with a single, and he was advanced around the base path by singles from Chad Broussard and Trey McGhee. Smith finished the day 2-for-4 with two singles and two runs scored. Broussard paced the team with a 3-for-4 day at the plate smacking a double, two singles and crossing the plate twice. McGhee had a 2-for-3 performance with two singles.
In the third inning the Bandits added two more runs after Tanner Smith slapped a single into center field. He scored on the next at-bat with Broussard knocking him on a double. Smith and Broussard scored again in the fifth inning after both players putting singles into play. Austin Chastang also scored in the inning after being walked. Chastang finished the game 1-for-2 with a single and a run scored.
In the sixth and final inning, the Bandits added three runs to put a nail in coffin. Jacob Anachevitz walked and was advanced by Brandon Broussard’s single. Kyle Mitchell knocked Anachevitz in for an RBI with a single and scored after Coby Smith put a single into the outfield. Smith scored the final run of the game as his brother Tanner slapped a single into the outfield. Anachevitz finished the game 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, while Mitchell finished 2-for-3 with two singles and a runs scored.
Bandits 9
Bombers 3
Another “W” was added to the win column for the South Alabama Bandits as they defeated the Bay Bombers 9-3 in their third game of the ASP Preseason Bash on Sunday
The Bandits (4-2) picked up the win with contribution from several players on the roster. Every Bandit that reached base in the game scored a run in the rout.
Coby Smith, Tristan McAnally, Brandon Broussard and Kyle Mitchell all notched hits in the game and went a combined 4-for-4 in the win.
Coby Smith, Tanner Smith and Tyler Cameron all crossed the plate after making it onto the path by base on balls. Jacob Anachevitz scored after striking out, but reached base because the catcher missed the ball and was not able to throw him out at first base.
Bandits 8
Bulls 2
The Bandits of South Alabama redeemed themselves in their second game of the ASP Preseason Bash in Niceville, Fla. on Saturday by crushing the NFBA Bulls 8-2.
The bats came alive for the Bandits (3-2) in Game 2 as they notched nine hits in 20 at-bats.
The scoring started for the Bandits in the bottom of the first as Tanner Smith reached base on a double and Chad Broussard followed Smith on the basepath with a walk. Smith finished the game 1-for-2 with the double, a walk and a run scored. Broussard ended the game 1-for-1 with a double and crossed the plate twice.
Smith and Broussard were advanced around the bases by Trey McGhee’s single to left-center field. Broussard paced the team by going 2-for-3 with a double, single and a run scored.
The Bandits scored one run in the second inning as Jacob AnaChevitz reached base via a single. He was advanced by Brandon Broussard’s fielder’s choice, and scored on Kyle Mitchell’s single. Anachevitz had a 1-for-2 day at the plate for the Bandits with a single and run scored. Broussard finished the game 0-for-2, and Mitchell finished the game 1-for-2 with an RBI to his credit.
Three more Bandits scored in the third inning as Chad Broussard slapped a double into play followed by McGhee’s double that scored Broussard. McGhee crossed the plate after Austin Chastang ripped a single into right field. Chastang finished the game 1-for-1 with a single and an RBI. On the next at-bat Chastang was pushed around the bases by Tyler Cameron’s double to make the score 6-0.
The final two players to score were Coby Smith and Tristan McAnally who scored in the bottom of the fourth inning. Smith reached base on a walk and was advanced by McAnally’s single.
Eagles 8
Bandits 0
Atmore’s South Alabama Bandits were shutout 8-0 by the Niceville Traveling Eagles in their first game of the ASP Preseason Bash in Niceville, Fla. on Saturday.
The Bandits (2-2) held close to the eagles in the first two innings only allowing them to score one run.
In the top of the first inning, Tristan McAnally was walked and advanced as far as third base before being stranded. McAnally finished the game 0-for-1 with a walk in the game.
The other player to reach base was Tyler Cameron who made it onto the bases by slapping a single into play. Cameron finished the game 1-for-1.
The bottom fell out in the third inning as the Eagles scored two more runs and added five more in the bottom of the fourth inning before the game was ended because of time.