Game Previews - Tuesday v. River Falls @ Oakey in Osceola 7:30pm / Wednesday @ Ellswoth 7:30pm

The St. Croix River Bandits are in desperate need of some conference wins. Although they are mathematically eliminated from post season play, they are looking to instill more confidence in their players with some key victories in the coming weeks, and hopefully play spoiler to some other teams that may be on the fence.

The Bandits will play the River Falls Fighting Fish on Tuesday night at Oakey Park. The Fish won their first game against the Bandits 5-1, while 4 runs came in the first inning of that game. The Fish had a rough weekend, losing to Menomonie in 15 innings 3-2, then losing to Prescott 5-3, dropping their conference record to 5-6. With only 5 games left, the Fish can only afford to lose 1 more game, or they will be eliminated from playoff contention. The Bandits expect to see either Dan Morgan on the mound tonight for the Fish (4-4, 3.82 ERA) or possibly Rick Wells who pitched 2 innings against the Bandits in their last outing, striking out 5 batters. The Fish are led by their 1-2-3 hitters Clint Kempf, Adam Steussel, and Brian Giebel. The 3 combine for a .302 BA, 3 HR, 40runs, 31 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.

The Bandits will send Adam Lewis to the mound. Lewis won his last start against the Staples Lumberbats in a 9-5 victory. Lewis is 1-1 this year with a 2.78 ERA.

On Wednesday that Bandits travel to Ellsworth to play the Hubbers at 7:30pm. The Bandits will have ace Jay Gagner pitching (1-1, 1.52ERA) in hopes that he can throw a gem.

The Hubbers just came off of an 11-10 victory over a powerful Hudson River Rats team, bringing their conference record to 4-3. Unfortunately I don't see stats up for the Hubbers so the Bandits are going in somewhat blind, with only 1 Bandits player having played against Ellsworth in the past.