Bandits take early 4-0 lead, long ball haunts Bandits again in 14-4 loss.

The St. Croix River Bandits (3-2 overall, 1-1 conf) had a rough outing in the final half of their game in Isanti on Saturday night. The Bandits got out to an early lead in the 2nd inning when shortstop John Peterson hit a bases clearing double, scoring 3 runs. Peterson then scored in the 5th inning after a lead off hit, he was bunted over by left fielder Mitch Thompson, and then scored on a Troy DeSmet hit that was then misplayed by the Isanti 2nd baseman.

Through 5 innings starting pitcher Jim Rochford (1-1) had given up 0 earned runs, struck out 5 while walking 2 batters and giving up 5 hits, and had a 4-2 lead. However, in the 6th inning the Redbirds came out raking. Rochford was missing the zone by fractions of an inch, walking lead-off hitter Nate Brutsman. Rochford then induced Jake Yatoske to ground out. Redbirds lead-off hitter Packy Lind singled to left center. Rochford then walked Bryan Schultz where 3 of the balls could have gone either way. Rochford continued to be just off the corner to Tyler Schaff with the bases loaded falling behind in the count 3-1. Rochford grooved a fastball down the middle thigh high and Schaff took him deep to left center for a grand slam. Rochford then gave up a first pitch shot to Kyle Johnson that may land sometime tomorrow. After all was said and done in the 6th inning the Bandits trailed 7-4.

The Redbirds brought in pitcher Nate Brutsman (2007 stats: 7-1 64.1IP 46k and 2.10ERA) to pitch the rest of the game and effectively shut down the Bandits in the 6th, 7th, and 8th inning, letting up only 1 hit in the 3 innings.

After Rochford left the game in the middle of the 6th the Redbirds bats caught fire. Michael Chelberg and Kyle Kahl were the unfortunate recipients. The Birds had 6 more hits in late innings, including another Tyler Schaff homerun. Both Chelberg and Kahl looked good on the mound but the Birds were hitting line drive singles all over the field. The Bandits will meet the Redbirds again in Osceola later in July.

Next game is in Hager City for another non-conference match before league play starts to heat up.

On a side note Go St. Croix Falls Saints, playoff game Tuesday at SCF against Osceola, be there in support!

*Notes/Highlights
*Mitch Thompson made his 2008 Bandits debut and it was a good one, 2 for 3 including a sac bunt.
*Redbirds catcher Kyle Johnson (1-4 w/HR) plays ball for Concordia-Moorhead in the MIAC and was named all conference for the 2nd consecutive year. Rochford claims to have given all the gas to that 994ft homerun he gave up to Johnson.
*Missing from the game: Trevor Todd, Brandon Pederson, Brian Jacobson, Mike Leahy, Adam Lewis, all them high school boys.
*Word has it that 2008 Luck grad Mitchell Klatt and Amery grad Matt Rubenzer may make a run at a spot on the Bandits roster.