Thursday, May 31, 2007

Game Recap - Game vs. Siren Turns Into Exhibition

The Siren Steelers came to town on Wednesday evening, but unfortunately there were only 6 of them. This forced coach Scott Lindholm into sending some Bandits to the other dugout so some sort of game could atleast be made and players could get some work in before this weekend's tournament. "I'm sure it was a tough decision as to who to send over to the Steelers side, but we sent over some guys who got more at-bats than they would have otherwise today." said pitcher Jim Rochford, in reference to the two part-time starters Curtis Roebuck and Sean Weinberg, and high schooler Jack Werner.

Kyle Kahl started the game for the Bandits and threw three innings of work. Kahl pitched well in his outing but the Bandits' defense was as sloppy as the weather, which unfortunately set the tone for the exhibition.

The River Bandits did come out hitting the ball taking a 4-3 lead after the 1st inning. However, in the fourth inning Steelers turned the mound over to Bandits player Curtis Roebuck, who shut his teammates down effectively.

The exhibition was called due to weather in the middle of the fifth inning with the Steelers/Bandits leading the Bandits 8-5.

*Other Notes

*Don't forget the Bandits play in the Osceola Tournament this weekend 6/1 @ 6:30 v. Osceola, and 6/2 @ 2pm v. Rosetown

*Michael Chelberg pitched an inning of relief and Trevor Todd threw two.

*Scott Lindholm went 2/3, and Chad Allram's first two pitches he saw plunked him in the left shoulder.

*Word is Troy DeSmet is coming along very well from his injury v. Princeton on Saturday

*Bandit's player Sean Weinberg made a leaping catch in right field for the Steelers on a lined shot that appeared to be heading to the fence.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Game Preview - Osceola Tournament 6/1-6/3

The Bandits travel to Osceola to play in the Osceola Tournament for the first weekend in June. The Bandits play the Osceola Braves Friday night (6/1) at 6:30, where Jim Rochford (0-0 5.56 ERA, 11 K 11.1 IP) will make the start.

The Bandits will play the Rosetown A's on Saturday (6/2) at 2pm and a game on Sunday that will be determined later.

More details to come!

Game Preview - Siren Steelers @ SCF 5/30 6pm

The River Bandits (0-3) and the Siren Steelers will try to get a game in before dark this coming Wednesday. Kyle Kahl will get the nod for the Bandits who will be playing their first non-conference game of the season. Many of the current Bandits players played for the Steelers last season, but once the Steelers joined the Independent Baseball League, rules dictated that the SCF players lived too far away to be on the team. Thus, Scott Lindholm and Trevor Todd decided to form their own team.

After a poor showing versus Braham a week ago, the Bandits played much better against Princeton in a 10-7 loss in the rain last Saturday. Coach Scott Lindholm "believes the team is really coming together," and "a couple hits or defensive plays here and there and we could as easily be sitting with a 2-1 record right now."

Wednesday's weather calls for a high of 71 degrees and a slight chance (30%) of rain. We hope to see you out there!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Game Recap - Rain Doesn't Stop Game, But Bandits Lose in Late Innings

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-3) trailed most of the game. However, at the end of seven innings they had managed to tie the game up at seven runs a piece. The Princeton Panthers (3-3, 2-2 conf.) managed to score three in the top of the eighth inning to take a 10-7 lead which was also the final score. Jim Rochford started for the Bandits and threw seven innings with three earned runs allowed. Rochford started off well striking out the side in the first inning. Walks became a problem in the middle innings for Rochford, and it seemed every Panther the got a free base was able to come around and score. Rochford was able to come out and pitch a good sixth and seventh inning, instilling confidence in the pitcher, who is only making his second start since high school.

The Bandits batters did have a good day at the plate, knocking out 12 hits. Jordan Martell led the team with 3 hits in 4 at bats, and scoring twice. Scott Lindholm and Michael Chelberg had two hits a piece.

Brandon Jensen, who pitched to only two batters, unfortunately ended up with the loss. Jensen had got the first out on a tough comebacker and walked the next batter. Mike Leahy was inserted and also struggled. walking two batters. Trever Todd was brought in, and was able to get a strike out and got the next batter to a two strike count. The batter was able to take a pitch the other way over the infielder's head and thus break the tie score.

*Other notes:

* 3b - Troy DeSmet was injured diving for a lined ball down the third baseline. DeSmet also took two hard foul balls of the body while batting earlier in the game, and was replaced in the 4th inning. His condition is unknown at this time.

* Jack Rydeen, the police chief of St. Croix Falls threw out the first pitch

* The game was delayed twice due to rain/lightning but for no longer than ten minutes at a time

* 15 year-old Matt Vold made the start at 2B for the Bandits, going 1 for 4 and making a phenomenal defensive grab and throw to end a Panther's threatening rally.

for full boxscore click here

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Monday, May 21, 2007

Game Preview - @ Princeton Panthers 5/23 7:30pm

The Bandits (0-2) hit the road in search of their first victory on Wednesday, traveling to Princeton to play the Panthers (1-1 conf., 2-2). Kyle Kahl is the expected starting pitcher for the Bandits making his first start of the year. The bandits shelled out 15 hits and 6 runs in their first game of the season, but in their last game they struggled to get a rally going in any inning and left 10 runners stranded.

The Princeton Panthers had a good 15-5 record in conference last season, led by star-IF Jesse Zimmer. Zimmer is off to a torrid start this season going 7/12 with a homerun and a double. Princeton has had a long line of successful seasons, making the MN State Tournament every year from 1998-2005.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Growing Pains Continue as Bandits Lose 7-0 to Braham

Braham's Blake Karas threw a complete game shutout for the Stars in the Bandits home opener. However, it's not that he was untouchable. The Bandits(0-2)were unable to string hits together leaving 10 runners stranded throughout the game. Starting pitcher Trevor Todd for the Bandits had a rough first inning giving up 4 runs, but settled down and pitched 5 scoreless innnings afterword. The Stars struck again in the seventh inning for 2 more, and capped it off with 1 more run in the eighth. The Bandits were very encouraged to see a crowd between 125-150 people show up to support the team even though the weather was less than perfect. Thanks to everyone involved and hope to see you at the next home game on Saturday.

Upcoming Schedule
5/23 @Princeton (SP Kyle Kahl)
5/26 Princeton (SP Jim Rochford)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Game Preview - Home Opener vs. Braham Stars 5/20 2pm

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-1) open their franchise home opener versus the Braham Stars (0-1). The expected starting pitcher for the River Bandits is lefty Trevor Todd. The Bandits look to improve to .500 after losing a close game in Quamba last week. The game will start at 2:00pm on Sunday afternoon and we hope to see a lot of people out there to partake in the fun.

Game Recap - Bandits Lose Close Game in Quamba 8-6

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-1) started out hot in Quamba Friday night, taking an early 6-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher, Jim Rochford, threw a good three innings giving up only 1 run until his control derailed. Rochford ended up walking 4 batters in the next 1 1/3 innings before being lifted for relief pitcher Mike Leahy, leaving the game with the Bandits leading 6-4. The Quamba Cubs (1-0) were able to chip away at the Bandits lead for the next 4 innings with some untimely errors, scoring 3 unearned runs. The Bandits swatted the ball for 15 hits in the game, but could not manage to get a rally going in the late innings.

Click Here For Boxscore

Highlights:
Jordan Martell---3/5 1 RBI First Bandits Hit
Steve Siqueiros---2/3 2 Runs
Jesse Hartel------2/4 3 RBI
Sean Weinberg---2/3 First Bandits Run Scored

Friday, May 11, 2007

Game Preview - @ Quamba Cubs 5/11 7:30pm

*To start on a side note, since this is our inaugural season we don't have much of a scouting report on any opposing players other than box scores and word of mouth. However as the season progresses, as should the depth of these previews.*

The River Bandits (0-0) will be starting their inaugural season in
Quamba (0-0), Friday May 11th, against the Cubs. The River Bandits will have lefty Jim Rochford taking the mound. While Rochford hasn't pitched in organized baseball for 8 years he said he is "excited and ready to go" for Friday night's game. The Bandits will be short a few players from their roster as some college and high school attendees are still at school, but Player-Head Coach Scott Lindholm said, "he isn't worried, we'll be fielding a very competitive team."

The Quamba Cubs finished 5-15 in conference play last season. Headlining for the Cubs is 2005 1st team and 2006 2nd team All Conference outfielder Barry Koch. Also in the lineup for Quamba is 2006 Honerable Mention DH/P Bob Martin, 2005 2nd Team 2B Matt Morgan, and 2005 Honerable Mention IF/P Erik Raivo.

The River Bandits anticipated line-up for Friday's game:
C - Steve Siqueiros
1B - Michael Chelberg
2B - Kyle Kahl
3B - Troy DeSmet
SS - Jordan Martell
LF - Sean Weinberg,
CF - Scott Lindholm
RF - Jesse Hartel
DH Brian Jacobson.

Good Luck River Bandits.

Monday, May 7, 2007

First Game Friday, May 11th

St. Croix River Bandits @ Quamba Cubs.