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Raiders’ fast start helps sink Phillies

The D.C. McLean Raiders of Washington earned their spot in Saturday night’s championship game of the 64th annual AAABA Tournament opposite Baltimore with a 9-6 victory over the ABCO Phillies of Philadelphia in the afternoon game at Point Stadium.

The victory for the Raiders avenged an earlier 4-3 tournament loss to Philadelphia.

Washington jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first inning. Trailing 7-1, Philadelphia began to chip away at the advantage, closing to within 7-6.

The Raiders added a pair of insurance runs to set the final.

Right-hander Cassidy McDaniel got the win, giving up six runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Christopher Dolan took the loss.

Catcher Zach Maggard was 3-for-4 and scored three runs for Washington. Raiders’ second baseman Daniel Lopez was 2-for-5, including a triple, and scored two. Third baseman Greg Bachman was also 2-for-5 with a triple and drove in three runs. Taylor Buran had a home run for Washington.

For Philadelphia, center fielder Mike Villari was 2-for-5, including a double, while shortstop Mike Moceri drove in three runs. Second baseman Frank Mercurio Jr. was 2-for-3 and left fielder Carlos Petrillo and designated hitter Ryan Kreider each homered.

Philadelphia was trying to earn its third shot at a AAABA championship. The Phillies had made it to the championship game twice, losing to Washington in both games.

In 1986, the Pennsylvania squad lost 5-4, and fell 17-8 in 1998, the last time Philadelphia made an appearance in the final.