Game Recap - Rain Doesn't Stop Game, But Bandits Lose in Late Innings

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-3) trailed most of the game. However, at the end of seven innings they had managed to tie the game up at seven runs a piece. The Princeton Panthers (3-3, 2-2 conf.) managed to score three in the top of the eighth inning to take a 10-7 lead which was also the final score. Jim Rochford started for the Bandits and threw seven innings with three earned runs allowed. Rochford started off well striking out the side in the first inning. Walks became a problem in the middle innings for Rochford, and it seemed every Panther the got a free base was able to come around and score. Rochford was able to come out and pitch a good sixth and seventh inning, instilling confidence in the pitcher, who is only making his second start since high school.

The Bandits batters did have a good day at the plate, knocking out 12 hits. Jordan Martell led the team with 3 hits in 4 at bats, and scoring twice. Scott Lindholm and Michael Chelberg had two hits a piece.

Brandon Jensen, who pitched to only two batters, unfortunately ended up with the loss. Jensen had got the first out on a tough comebacker and walked the next batter. Mike Leahy was inserted and also struggled. walking two batters. Trever Todd was brought in, and was able to get a strike out and got the next batter to a two strike count. The batter was able to take a pitch the other way over the infielder's head and thus break the tie score.

*Other notes:

* 3b - Troy DeSmet was injured diving for a lined ball down the third baseline. DeSmet also took two hard foul balls of the body while batting earlier in the game, and was replaced in the 4th inning. His condition is unknown at this time.

* Jack Rydeen, the police chief of St. Croix Falls threw out the first pitch

* The game was delayed twice due to rain/lightning but for no longer than ten minutes at a time

* 15 year-old Matt Vold made the start at 2B for the Bandits, going 1 for 4 and making a phenomenal defensive grab and throw to end a Panther's threatening rally.

for full boxscore click here