Brookfield Bandits Shine Despite Heavy Rains in Maryland

The Brookfield Bandits, the U11 Travel Baseball Team, kicked off their 2011 campaign in rainy Aberdeen, Maryland this past weekend. The Bandits participated in the Under Armour Natural Tournament at the venerable Cal Ripken Baseball Facilities. 

The Bandits started strong in their first game on Saturday, with Andrew ”Taz” Almeida setting the tone for the gritty Bandits. Taz led off and fought off 12 foul balls before singling to right. Behind the pitching of Connor “C-Money” Gruda and stellar defense by the infield of third baseman Mason “Matsui” Blanchette, short-stop Niko Droukas, second baseman Chris “Yah-Yah” Demarco and first baseman Alex “AJ” Johanesen the Bandits held their opponent to only a few runs before the game and the balance of the day’s games were called due to torrential rains. 

The balance of the tournament schedule was amended with the third round of pool play and the semi-finals being eliminated.

Saturday's suspended game resumed in the bottom of the third inning on Sunday with the Bandits trailing 3-2. John “JJ” Garizio started a rally when he took a 0-1 fastball and one-hopped the wall at Cal Sr. Yard, driving in the tieing run. Garizio later scored on a laser to center field by the Bandits’ newest addition, Addison “Double A” Abbott, putting the Bandits up for good. 

The Bandits went on to win the game 6-3 behind decisive relief pitching of Johanesen and a spectacular play by the shortstop Gruda completing a sweet game ending double play — Gruda, to Demarco to Droukas. 

The Bandits played shortly after the conclusion of their first game on Wrigley Field against the Arena Starz. 

The Starz flashed some leather as they held the potent Bandit offense down for most of the game. The pitching combination of Blanchette and Niko “Slim Shady” Droukas allowed only three hits while Lucas “Rocket” Joshi, ranging far and wide in center field, tracked down a number of fly balls. Nick “Poison” Ivey showed his versatility by playing in the outfield and infield when needed. The Bandits bats continued to hammer the ball to all fields, however the Starz defensive determination kept the Bandits one run short as they lost to the 3-2.

Though the scores and standings placed the Bandits first in their division, the rain-shortened tournament cut short their consistent run to yet another playoff appearance.

The Bandits were spurred on by their dedicated batboy, Zachary “Z” Droukas. Z picked up more than their bats, as he continued to pick them up when there was a lull in the action or the hard hit balls were not falling in.  Z has been a fixture on the sidelines for the Bandits for the last three years and will be starting his own travel baseball odyssey this year as he takes his talents to the 9U travel diamond. The Bandit players and Coaches wish him well and will miss him on the sideline.

Please follow the 2011 Bandits as they strive to defend their District IV Babe Ruth Championship and this year’s youth baseball journey through the northeast. Follow all Bandit action here on Brookfield Patch, on www.BrookfieldBandits.com or on Facebook.