Bandits rally past Blue Sox 6-4 after early deficit

BRISBANE, Australia — The Brisbane Bandits (11-13) scored six unanswered runs after a four-run first inning by the Sydney Blue Sox (16-8) and rallied to a 6-4 win Thursday night at Viticon Stadium.

Sydney struck quickly against Kamdyn Perry, loading the bases in the first and pushing across four runs on an RBI single by Eric Rataczak, two sacrifice flies and a run-scoring single from Michael Campbell. Perry settled after the opening frame, working four innings and keeping the Blue Sox off the board the rest of the way.

Brisbane began its comeback in the second. Robbie Perkins led off with a solo home run to center, his seventh of the season, before Will Riley lined a two-run double to right later in the inning to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Bandits took the lead in the fourth against Alex Wells (5-2). George Callil and Noah Barber scored on Max Durrington’s two-out double to left, putting Brisbane ahead 5-4. Callil added insurance in the sixth, launching a solo homer to left off reliever Matthew Rae.

Matt Beattie (1-2) earned the win in relief, allowing no hits and no runs while working 1 2/3 innings despite issuing three walks. Luke Krkovski, Sam Holland and Tyler Jeans followed with scoreless outings, with Holland striking out the side in the eighth and with Jeans earning his ABL leading sixth save in the ninth.

Wells took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings. The Blue Sox were held to six hits and did not score after the first inning, going 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Durrington drove in two runs for Brisbane, while Riley also finished with two RBIs. Perkins and Callil homered as part of the Bandits’ nine-hit attack.

The Bandits return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader with game one starting at 2:30 p.m. and game two set to start at 6 p.m. Fans can tune in to all the action on Baseball+ while fans in Japan and Taiwan can tune in on DAZN Japan.