Game Recap - Bandits Win Last League Game of Season, Defeat Playoff Bound Isanti 4-2

The St. Croix River Bandits (8-14, 11-19) got an early lead on the Isanti Redbirds (17-5, 23-8) Sunday, and managed to keep it, despite 4 fielding errors on the day. Jay Gagner pitched a near flawless game by Bandits standards, giving up only one earned run off of a solo homerun by soon to be all-league catcher Kyle Johnson. Gagner struck out 13, gave up only 3 hits and 2 walks in 9 innings pitched.

The game didn't look like it was going to get under way at first. Rain was threatening for the first 7 innings of play, and a few players coming from up North from the weekend said it had been raining for hours, as close as Siren. But the rain only delayed the game for about 5 minutes, and the rest of the storm seemed to literally go around the baseball diamond.

The Bandits struck first in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Troy DeSmet led off with a walk, followed by a a grounder to third by Mitch Thompson. However, the Redbird third baseman, Tyler Schaff, threw wide, allowing DeSmet to reach 3rd and Thompson to 2nd. Curtis Roebuck was able to hit a groundout to deep short, allowing DeSmet to score. Michael Chelberg hit a single which allowed Mitch Thompson to score from 2nd.

The Bandits scored again in the bottom of the third. Preston Langer hit a double to left, however was hung up after a Scott Lindholm single, and which the third baseman dove and knocked the ball down, and looked like had caromed off his glove into center. The shortstop came out of nowhere to slide in and stop the ball, and ended up throwing Langer out at 2nd. "Incredible play by the shortstop," said Jim Rochford, who was coaching first. Lindholm then stole 2nd base, and advanced to third on a Jesse Hartel single. Isanti pitcher Ben Lind threw a wild pitch that allowed Lindholm to score and at the end of the inning, the Bandits led 3-0 and the clouds looked like we wouldn't even make it to 5 innings.

Isanti got one back in the top of the fourth with a 2-out solo home run Redbirds starting catcher (who happened to be starting 1B today) Kyle Johnson. Johnson is batting .375 on the year with now 4 home runs and 26 RBI.

The Bandits got another run in the fifth. Kyle Kahl got on base from another wild throw from the Redbird third baseman. Langer hit a single, and with first and third loaded, Lindholm hit the ball to deep enough 3rd to score Kahl with a fielder's choice.

The Redbirds only got one more run off of some sloppy defense by the Bandits, but they were able to lock it up and get Jay Gagner the win.

Next game is at Siren at 7:00 - the drive isn't that far.......show up!!! It should be a good one. Either Jim Rochford or Michael Chelberg will likely start for the Bandits. The Bandits then play Chisago on Friday night in Chisago 7:30pm. After those 2 games there are only 3 more left on the year!! Check out the team website for stats and schedules.

*Other Notes*

*Preston Langer went 2-3 today with a walk, Troy DeSmet and Mitch Thompson each went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored.

*Brandon Pederson was at the game but got some much needed rest.

*Jay Gagner broke his own record of 10 strikeouts in a single Bandits game, and set the new mark at 13.

*Single game, and single season records will be tabulated and be hitting the team website soon

*Also this week I'll list the Bandits choices for All Eastern Minny League....don't be suprised if a Bandit or two makes the 2nd team all conference.