Bandits have disappointing end to a great weekend.

The Bandits lost the championship game in the Bandits Bash Tournament in Cambridge, MN Sunday to the Bloomington Bandits. While I would like to say the Bandits lost only 5-4, in fact they lost 15-4. The Bloomington Bandits came out swinging the bats today, and unfortunately recent SCF grad Trygve Chinander was the recipient of the offensive attack. Chinander pitched a total of 1 inning letting up 7 hits, and 7 earned. He was replaced by Michael Chelberg in the 2nd who threw 2 2/3 innings, allowed 6 hits and 7 runs. John Peterson got the final out on the mound in his first pitching appearance of the season.

After this Bloomington Bandits went up 10-0 after the 2nd inning the River Bandits of St. Croix did respond. 2B Preston Langer led the inning off with a single, followed by SS John Peterson walking. LF/P Michael Chelberg hit an RBI single, and Pederson was able to score on a throwing error by the Bloomington Right Fielder. The Bloomington pitcher Cliff Christopherson walked the next 3 batters, allowing another run to score and to cut the Bloomington lead down to 7. The River Bandits posted another run in the top of the 4th inning, Langer scoring from third on a sacrifice fly to left field by John Peterson. Unfortunately some things neither Bandits could control got in the way of the baseball game. Bloomington came out the superior team today and by far deserved their 1st place victory, but the score could have been much more respectable and the game lasted the full 7 innings in the mind of this Bandits reporter.

The Bandits next game is next week, Sunday, a conference game versus Elmwood (3-5 conference) at St. Croix Falls at 1pm. Expect either Jay Gagner or Jim Rochford to start on the mound for the Bandits, hoping to approve their dismal 1-7 conference record.

Notes & Highlights
*Preston Langer went 2-2 today and Curtis Roebuck went 1-2 in the 8th and 9th spot.
*The Rum River Bandits deserve props for putting on a fine tournament.
*The Bandits missed Torii in the dugout today. Bring back Torii, Michael!
*In 5 innings of work the Bandits did get 6 hits in 18 at bats and drew 4 free bases, not a bad day offensively - unless you are comparing us to the team we just played.
*Scott Lindholm made a wild diving catch in center field, ask anyone.