Game Recap - Bandits Notch Win in Braham, 4-1

The St. Croix River Bandits (4-10, 6-14) worked quickly in their 4-1 victory over the Braham Stars, gametime was recorded at about 1 hour and 30 minutes long. Jim Rochford picked up his second win of the season. Rochford had a stellar game, getting ahead of batters and keeping them off balance; scattering seven hits, walking one, and giving up only one earned run, while striking out five in the complete game performance. Blake Karas also had a great day on the mound striking out eleven and allowing only one earned run.

The game was extremely quick for the first 4 1/2 innings. Karas had a perfect game going at that point and Rochford had only thrown 32 pitches, throwing only 4 in the 4th inning. Rochford let up a two out walk in the bottom of the 5th, which was followed by consecutive singles before the Bandits were able to record the final out of the inning. The Bandits countered back quickly in the top of the 6th inning. Curtis Roebuck was able to get an infield single with two outs. Jordan Martell then hit a triple into the right center gap, scoring Roebuck, and tying the game 1-1.

The Stars threatened in the 7th inning, putting the first to men up on board with singles. However, Rochford was able to induce two short flyballs to right field, and then a little dribbler back to the mound for the third out.

The bats came alive for the Bandits again in the 8th inning. Kyle Kahl led off with a single, and Nick Hartman hit a comebacker to the pitcher Karas, who threw a little high to 2nd base, causing the 2nd baseman to come off the bag. Roebuck then attempted to move the runners over with a bunt. He placed the bunt down and with the pitcher and 1st basemen covering, Roebuck was able to beat out the 2nd baseman who was supposed to be covering 1st on the bunt coverage. With the bases loaded and the tensions high, team batting leader Jordan Martell stepped into the box, and unexpectedly got a piece of a pitch that came right back to the pitcher. Karas threw home for the force and then down to 1st for the 1-2-3 double play. Trevor Todd was able to pick him up, as he slapped a 1-2 fastball down the third baseline, only mere feet from the foul line, for a double and 2 RBI. Newly acquired Mitch Thompson was able to drive Todd in with a gapper double of his own, making the score 4-1. Rochford only needed 14 more pitches to close out the game.

Seven Bandits had hits, two coming from Curtis Roebuck, and the defense played a great game in which some tough plays were made and no errors were seen.

Next game is a make-up game @ Princeton 7:30pm 7/5, also the Bandits play 2 games on Saturday at Milaca at 2 and 4pm, and Sunday at home versus division-leader Chisago Lakes.

*Other Notes

*Boxscore HERE

*Missing from action were Troy DeSmet, Brian Jacobson, Mike Leahy, Bob Todd, Mike Chelberg, and Sean Weinberg