Game Recap - Bandits Can't Keep Lead, Lose 12-6 v. Chisago

The St. Croix River Bandits (7-13, 10-17) lost 12-6 Friday night against Chisago in Oakey Park.
It was for some reason a very heated intense game between the border rivals as both teams struggled to throw strikes and make plays. Chisago struck first in the top of the 1st inning, scoring 3 runs off of 4 hits. The Bandits manufacturd 1 run back in the bottom of the first via a walk, error, sac bunt, and sac fly.

The Bandits scored again in the 3rd from 2 more Chisago walks, a wild pitch, and throwing error on a routine grounder to shortstop. Chisago was able to score in the top of the 4th via defensive errors by the Bandits, and again in the 5th via a walk, sac bunt, and then a deep double by cleanup hitting catcher Kyle Collins. Going into the bottom of the 5th, the Bulldogs were leading 5-3.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bandits finally got their bats swinging. Singles by Mitch Thompson, Jesse Hartel, a Kyle Kahl walk, Curtis Roebuck RBI-single, Preston Langer, and Brandon Pederson's 2-RBI single brought the Bandits in front with a 6-5 lead.

After a lead-off walk in the 6th, Trevor Todd was able to strike out DH Jon Kent. This led to some clamoring in the Bulldogs dugout and umpire Ben Wolcyn ejected starting shortstop Jimmy Achartz from the game. At this point it appeared the Bandits had all the momentum they would need...It just didn't turn out that way. After inducing a flyout, Todd hit the next batter. Achartz's replacement got an RBI single, and an error later, the Bandits were back down 7-6. The Bandits bats never got going again after Chisago turned to pitcher Chip Bemlott, who pitched fantastically, striking out 7 while walking only 1 and giving up 3 hits.

Bandits pitchers struggled the rest of the game to located in the strike zone, leading to 5 more runners scoring off of free bases, as Chisago took the game 12-6.

Lots of games this week: @ Hinckley Fri 7/20, v. Osceola Sat 7/21, v. Isanti Sun 7/22

*Other Notes

*Boxscore is Here

*MIA - SS Jordan Martel, 3B Troy DeSmet, P Mike Leahy

*Scott Lindholm may have gone 0-2, but he walked 3 times and scored twice. Curtis Roebuck had a phenomenal 3-5 night with an RBI and run scored.

*Thanks to Oakey Park for letting us play at their beautiful field.