Game Recap - Bandits Lose Close Game in Nowthen, 10-9.

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-4 conf, 1-7 overall) played a very close game in Nowthen on Saturday afternoon, but couldn't pull through at the end for a victory. The Bandits had a rough start giving up nine runs in the first three innings, however they were able to put together a five run-third inning which included two RBI double by Jesse Hartel and a two RBI single by Tyler Pilz.

By the fourth inning the cloudy and rainy weather had cleared up into sunny skies and the pitching and defense finally got into a rhythm. Trevor Todd came into the game in the third inning and only gave up one unearned run, and three hits, while striking out four. Todd did allow a few walks in the game, but between a successful pick-off and two double plays, the Pioneers were held at bay.

The Bandits scored one in the seventh when Jesse Hartel reached via error and was able to move to third on the next play also via error. Preston Langer knocked the ball to the right side of the infield allowing Hartel to score on a sacrifice. The Bandits trailed 10-6 going into the eighth inning and the Pioneer pitcher, Alex Moses was relieved for Jeff Horner who struggled to located his pitches. Horner gave up a lead off walk to catcher Alex Sullivan, and then walked Jordan Martell. Trevor Todd notched a bloop single, loading the bases. After Tyler Pilz was walked which scored a run making the game 10-7 with the bases loaded and no outs, the Pioneers lifted Jeff Horner in favor of Danny Ebner. Jesse Hartel was able get a sacrifice out to score a run. DH Brian Jacobson came up to bat and crushed a ball to deep left field. Unfortately, winds had been blowing heavily from left to right field all day, the ball was knocked down, where it would have been a sure homerun in St. Croix, and ended up as a deep sacrifice fly scoring a runner. Pioneer pitcher Danny Ebner stranded the tying runner at second base and struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth for the Pioneer win.

Once again the Bandits hit well and played defense better than in their win in Siren. However, seven of eight lead-off men for the Pioneers made it to atleast first base, and the team let up nine run, seven earned in the first three innings.

The Bandits play a tough Hinckley Knights team (6-3 conference, 6-7 overall) Sunday at St. Croix @ 2pm. Jim Rochford (1-1) will take the mound for the Bandits in hopes of capturing their first conference victory.

*Other Notes

*CF/P Trevor Todd went 3-5 with 2 runs and a stolen base, while also pitching 6 innings, striking out 4, and giving up 0 earned runs.

*RF Jesse Hartel had 3 RBI and scored 2 runs.

*Nowthen lost 20 baseballs due to their next door neighbor business not allowing them to retrieve foul balls. The balls will be returned to the team on the next business day....no joke.

*Everyday starters Scott Lindholm and Troy DeSmet were missing from the line-up.

*For Full Box Score Click Here