Bandits Take Two at Cambridge Tournament

The Bandits (1-7 conf, 6-8 overall) are hoping to cap off a great weekend on Sunday as they will take on the Bloomington Bandits in the championship game of the Bandits Bash (7-inning) Tournament in Cambridge, MN.

GAME 1:The Bandits had their 1st game of the weekend Saturday against the Staples Lumberbats. The Bandits scored first with a lead off double by shortstop John Peterson. Rightfielder Mitch Thompson followed with a single. Leftfielder Michael Chelberg knocked Peterson in off of a fielder's choice and then an ensuing error left Chelberg at 2nd. Centerfielder Scott Lindholm then had an RBI single to cap a 2 run inning. The Lumberbats came roaring back in the top of the 2nd inning. Starting pitcher Adam Lewis (1-1), who pitched fairly well in his 7 innings of work, had a batter reach by error, then walked the next batter. After a stolen base, the Lumberbats were able to get a 2 run single tying the game. With a man on third base, a Lumberbat hit a fly ball to Mitch Thompson, who caught the ball and threw out the baserunner at home plate who was tagging up. The Lumberbats scored yet another run that inning to make it a 3-2 deficit for the Bandits. The Bandits ended the inning by Mitch Thompson catching a fly ball and throwing out the baserunner at home plate who was tagging up.

The Bandits scored 2 more in the bottom of the 2nd. Second baseman Preston Langer reached by error, and Mitch Thompson hit another single. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Mitch Thompson stole 2nd, enticing a throw by the catcher, where Preston Langer then stole home to tie the ball ballgame at 3-3. Catcher Steve Siquieros hit an RBI single to but the Bandits back in the lead.

The Lumberbats regained the lead in the top of the 3rd inning, scoring 2 runs of a couple of errors, a stolen base, and base hit and the Bandits were once again looking at a 1 run deficit, trailing 5-4. The Bandits did not score again until the 5th inning, Kyle Kahl had a 1 out base hit to left field, followed by back to back doubles by first baseman Jesse Hartel and Adam Lewis. John Peterson drove in the go ahead run, with a single to center, scoring Jesse Hartel from third. Adam Lewis shut down the Lumberbats from there, allowing only 2 hits over the last 4 innings of work. The Bandits would score 3 more runs to cement their lead in the 6th inning, winning the game 9-5. The Bandits ended up rocking out 13 hits, including 3 doubles. Adam Lewis got the win, pitching 7 strong, letting up 3 earned runs, striking out 6 and walking 4.

GAME 2:The Bandits played their 2nd game against host Rum River Bandits. Rum River won the coin toss and were the home team. The Rum River Bandits had a freshman pitcher from Mankato State on the mound, Tom Kordiak, and he was throwing gas early, reportedly clocked at 91-92 mph. He was a little wild in the top of the first though. After striking out SS John Peterson and CF Scott Lindholm, Kordiak walked LF Michael Chelberg and DH Steve Siqueiros, and hit 3B Kyle Kahl loading the bases. A passed ball allowed Chelberg to score from 3rd and take the early 1-0 lead. Kordiak only went 3 innings struck out 6 and allowed only 1 hit, a lead off double to rookie catcher Jake Larcom.

Jim Rochford started the mound for the Bandits (2-4), while struggling for the 1st inning, walking 2 of the first 3 batters, Rochford really settled into a groove for the rest of the game. The Rum River Bandits scored their 1st and only run in the 3rd inning. Jesse Jacobson and Adam Berg reached by error. Rochford struck out the clean up hitter Blake Karas, but threw an errant pitch to Tom Kordiak allowing Jacobson to score from 3rd. Rochford induced a fly out to end the inning. Around the end of the third inning a fine mist started coming out of the sky. Neither team had seen anything quite like it. The mist rain lasted for 2 innings, making for some wet baseballs.

The Bandits scored again in the top of the 4th inning. 1B Jesse walked and Jake Larcom came through with another hit. After a passed ball 2B Curtis Roebuck hit in the go ahead run with an RBI single to left field. John Peterson followed with another single, scoring Jake Larcom. Michael Chelberg finished off the scoring by hitting a difficult fly to center that was misplayed by the defense allowing Roebuck to score from 2nd. Jim Rochford pitched phenomenally the rest of the way. He struck out 8 batters and allowed his 1st hit with only 2 outs left in the ball game. In the bottom of the 7th the Rum River Bandits were finally able to knock out a few hits. With 1 out and the bases loaded, Rochford was able to induce a foul ball pop out and then strikeout the last batter of the game.

NOTES:
Great Day for Baseball for the River Bandits of St. Croix River!
Mitch Thompson (played only game 1) went 3-4, R, 2SB
Jake Larcom (played only game 2) went 2-3, 2B, R, HBP