Joshua Stonesifer is safe at first for Philly Bandits 17U Black after throw to first base is off line.
By Sean Reilly
The 2025 high school season was a good one for Lucas Albert.
Albert, a junior, was one of two players from Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa., to earn First-Team All-Conference recognition in the Inter-AC after hitting for a high average batting third and playing steady in the infield as his team had its best finish in 10 years.
He’s spending the summer as the leadoff man for Philly Bandits 17U Black, and he’s made quite an impact in the team’s first tournament of the season, the Diamond Nation Super 17 Invitational, Powered by Victus.
The Bandits opened play with two games on Monday, a 6-1 victory over Wow Factor Northeast 17U Regional, and a 10-0 triumph over the Bucks County Generals 2027’s Black.
Lucas Albert of Philly Bandits 17U Black slides safely back to third base ahead of pickoff throw.
He was a combined 3-for-5 in those games, helping the Bandits to a great start in the wood bat event featuring more than 90 teams.
Tuesday morning brought more impressive results, as Albert was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in a 5-0 triumph over the CT Grind 2027 Navy.
With a 21-1 run differential and one game remaining on Wednesday morning, the Bandits are in great position to finish among the top five in the tournament, which carries a bid to the Top 25 Showcase in August.
Albert put on a good display in front of the many college coaches who were watching the game against the Grind on Field 3 at ‘The Nation.’
“I’m seeing the ball well and doing what I can do without forcing stuff,” Albert said.
After Bandits starter Chris Sandler struck out the side in the top of the first, Albert led off the bottom of the inning with a bunt single on the third base side.
“I bunt a ton,” he said. “If they give it to me, it’s a free hit.”
Albert moved to second on a wild pitch and crossed to third on Dax Caplan’s fly out to right field. After the next batter struck out, Alex Myers delivered an RBI single to right, and Myers took second on an error. Gavin Grasso then hit an RBI single to the right of a diving shortstop for a 2-0 lead.
Starter Chris Sander worked two no-hit innings for the Philly Bandits 17U Black.
Grasso took second on a wild pitch, and he scored as Joshua Stonesifer singled to left.
After Sandner pitched another hitless inning in the second, Lucas helped extend the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the frame.
This time, Lucas doubled to left-center with one out. He stole third, and scored on Brandon Lall’s triple to center.
The Bandits tacked on their final run in the third.
Stonesifer reached on a one-out error, and Owen McLean followed with a ball that banged off the top of the dugout fence in right field for a very long single which sent Stonesifer to third. Stonesifer scored on a two-out wild pitch with Matthew Riendeau at the plate.
The Bandits pitching staff combined on a one-hitter in the five-inning game.
After Sandner’s two-inning stint, Matthew Gryn pitched the third and fourth before Bam McNab worked the fifth.
Jack Marschner had the lone hit for the Grind, a two-out single to left in the fourth inning.
As for the Bandits, Albert is looking forward to an enjoyable summer for himself and his teammates.
“I’m looking forward to having fun playing baseball and finding somewhere to play it in college,” he said. “It’s nice playing in front of coaches here, but you still have to play your same game.”