Reds Clinch Spot in Championship Game This Sunday with Win Over Bandits

Matt Sommo

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The New Providence Reds continued their winning ways on Sunday, defeating the Jersey Bandits by a score of 13-5 to punch their ticket to the New Jersey Amateur Baseball League Championship.

The win marked the ninth straight for the Reds.

The Reds got things started early, scoring six times in the bottom of the first inning. After scoring the first three runs on two Bandits errors, Anthony Bibbo worked a bases-loaded walk to plate the fourth Reds run. Vince Graziano then drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Blaine Chesnut then followed with a single to finish the scoring in the inning.

The Reds would add on to their lead by scoring once in the second inning on an RBI single by third baseman Rob Grasso.

The Bandits would score an unearned run in the 4th to make the score 7-1. The Reds would extend the lead to 9-1 in the fifth on a two-run home run by catcher Dean Licari, his fourth home run of the season.

After the Bandits got the game to 9-5 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Reds put the game out of reach by scoring four runs. Rob Grasso added a two-run double and pitcher Michael Pierce would then follow with a two-run home run.

Pierce, the defending league Cy Young winner, went eight strong innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out three and scattering ten hits.

Ryan Grill pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win.

The Reds now await the winner of the Union Misfits vs. Jersey Bandits game to be played on Saturday. The Reds will host the winner of that game in game one of the championship on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 11am at Oakwood Park in New Providence.

The Reds are managed by Matt Sommo and assisted by Matt and Derek Nesto, both of New Providence. This season, the Reds were once again sponsored by MGL Printing Solutions located at 154 South Street in New Providence and Harlee’s Tap & Grille located at 1260 Springfield Ave. in New Providence.

As members of the New Jersey Amateur Baseball League (NJABL) the Reds were the Metal Division Champions in 2013 and 2014 and the Intermediate Wood Champions in 2016, before capturing the Summer South Championship in 2021 and 2022.

For more information on the New Providence Reds, visit their website and "like" their page on Facebook or follow them on X, @NewProvReds.

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