Game Recap - Bandits Take Two From Milaca

The St. Croix River Bandits (6-11, 8-15) took two games in Milaca against the Stingers (5-12) on a hot Saturday afternoon, 2-1 and 9-3. Michael Chelberg threw the first game for the Bandits, and it was a much different Michael Chelberg than we had seen earlier in the year. Chelberg went the full seven innings, giving up only four hits and four walks while striking out six, and giving up only one earned run.

Nate Gruber pitched the first game against the River Bandits and the Bandits never felt too comfortable at the plate., and unable to score a run in the first six innings of the game. Down to their seventh and last inning, Bob Todd pinch hit for Scott Lindholm to lead off the inning and hit a scorcher down to third base which was able to get through the infield. Scott Lindholm re-entered to run and was able to steal second on a very close call, where instead of sliding into 2nd he did a little pirouette around the tag. Michael Chelberg flied out to centerfield. Jordan Martell then hit a ball to the shortstop who mishandled the throw and Martell was safe at first while Lindholm advanced to third. Lindholm was able to score on a wild pitch, which was a close play at the plate. Lindholm ended up sliding into the pitcher Gruber who could not hold onto the ball from the throw from the catcher. Martell made it to third on the play and was knocked in by a Jesse Hartel groundout RBI, to make the game 2-1 Bandits. Chelberg got into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh. After getting the first two outs on three pitches, Dom Ruis singled to the outfield. The Bandits then decided to intentionally walk Ben Johnson, the St. Cloud St. P/IF, who is batting .353 this year and who had hit a gapper to left center his first time at the plate. Chelberg then walked Todd Larsen after a 7-pitch at bat. With the bases loaded and two outs, Chelberg was able to strike out Cody Stewart for the victory.

The second game was a little less dramatic, atleast the later innings. Jim Rochford took the mound for the Bandits coming off a performance against Braham which he gave up only one earned run, one walk, and seven hits in nine innings pitched. Although the game was played in Milaca, St. Croix was given the distinction of home team, as per doubleheader rules in the Eastern Minny League. In the first inning, after striking out the lead-off batter, Rochford gave up a double, hit a batter, and gave up a single which scored a run. Ryan Bremer hit a sacrifice fly to give the Stingers and early 2-0 lead.

The Bandits countered right back in the bottom of the first, putting together four hits by Jordan Martell, who was sac'd to 2nd by a Trevor Todd bunt, a Jesse Hartel RBI double, Mitch Thompson's RBI single, and a Troy DeSmet RBI single. The Bandits added two more in the bottom of the second. Curtis Roebuck reached on an error and stole a base. Alex Sullivan walked but ended up getting forced at 2nd on a fielder's choice by Jordan Martell, who was able to get the 2nd base on a steal/error by shortstop. Trevor Todd hit the first pitch he saw for a single and scored the two runners.

Meanwhile, Rochford gave one back in the top of the third, allowing two lead off hits, making it first and third with no outs. A wild pitch allowed a runner to score. However, Rochford was able to induce a groundout to short and strike out the last two, to strand the runner at third base. From that point Rochford only gave up three more hits over his last four innings, and not allowing another run. Final line on Rochford: 7IP, 8H, 1BB, 3ER, 8K.

The Bandits were able to score four more in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away. The runs came from a Milaca pitching collapse, that the Bandits only know too well from earlier games this season. A bevy of Milaca pitchers were sent in but no one could seem to locate. The Stingers walked six Bandits and hit another, while also giving up an error. The four Bandits that did score were off wild pitches and passed balls, making the final damage 9-3 in favor of the Bandits. Quick work was made in the last two innings of Bandits batting, but they still took the game 9-3.

Next Game is vs. Chisago Lakes at Oakey Park in Osceola

*Other Notes

*Bandits Boxscore Game 1
Bandits Boxscore Game 2

*The Bandits, have climbed out of last place in the Central Division of the Eastern Minny League, a half game up on Braham.

*MIA for the Bandits: Nick Hartman, Sean Weinberg, Matt Vold, Mike Leadhy, Jay Gagner.

*Offensive MVPs of the Day: Jesse Hartel 3-8 2BI, 2R and Bob Todd, 1-1, with a clutch base hit to start a rally in game 1.

*Milaca's field may look nicer than St. Croix's but the bad hops and uneven ground make it all too familiar.

*It was hot, if I didn't mention it. .....Hot!