Perkins Sets ABL Milestone With Four-Hit Night, but Bandits Fall 11–1 to Blue Sox

SYDNEY — Robbie Perkins became the Australian Baseball League’s standalone No. 4 all-time hits leader with a four-hit performance Thursday night, but the Brisbane Bandits couldn’t keep pace with the Sydney Blue Sox in an 11–1 loss at Blacktown International Sportspark Thursday night.

Robbie Perkins entered the game tied with former Team Australia and Brisbane mainstay David Sutherland at 355 career hits. The Bandits’ veteran catcher wasted no time claiming the spot for himself, doubling twice and finishing 4-for-4 to reach 359 career hits. His performance was one of the few bright spots for Brisbane on a night dominated by Sydney’s offense.

The Blue Sox struck early and often, scoring in each of the first four innings to take control. Sydney totaled 15 hits, led by a relentless top half of the order. Pablo Nunez reached base three times, scored three runs and drove in two. Jaylin Rae delivered a four-hit night of his own with two RBI, while Jo Stevens added four hits, including a double, and scored three times. Jirvin Morillo chipped in a triple and two RBI as Sydney applied steady pressure from start to finish.

Bandits starter Connor MacDonald (0–2) battled command issues, allowing seven runs — five earned — across 3 1/3 innings. He walked four, threw a wild pitch and was called for a balk as the Blue Sox capitalized on nearly every free baserunner. Seung-Hyun Lee followed and surrendered four runs in 1 2/3 innings, with Sydney cashing in all three inherited runners. Brisbane finally stopped the damage when Brandon Herbold and Dermot Fritsch combined to hold the Sox scoreless over the final three innings.

Brisbane put runners on throughout the night but struggled to turn opportunities into runs. The Bandits finished 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 men on base. Liam MacDonald doubled twice and Rixon Wingrove added a double of his own, but the club’s only run came on a George Callil sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Sydney’s pitching staff kept the Bandits at bay despite the traffic. Starter Alex Wells (2–0) worked five shutout innings, scattering seven hits while striking out five without a walk. Matthew Rae allowed Brisbane’s lone run over two innings, and Lachlan Brook closed the door with two more scoreless frames.

Despite Perkins’ historic milestone, Brisbane couldn’t mount enough offense to match Sydney’s early barrage. The Blue Sox added insurance runs in the fifth and seventh and held the Bandits hitless over the final two innings to secure the victory.

The Bandits will play game two against Sydney tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Fans can catch all the action on Baseball +