Bandits Lose a Nail Biter

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-1, 0-0) played a well rounded game on Sunday afternoon in a 4-3 loss to the Grantsburg Honkers. Down by a run in the top of the ninth inning and with one out, RF Tim Wampfler slapped a single to left field and was followed by LF Trevor Todd drawing a walk. 3B Jeff Johnson struck out swinging on a 2-2 fastball, leaving C Steve Siqueiros at the plate with 2 outs. Siqueiros had scored all 3 of the Bandits runs on Sunday - walking once, smashing a double to left-center field, and reaching by error. Siqueiros was behind in the count 1-2, with the next pitch on its way and in the zone Siqueiros took a mighty swing, but failed to make contact. The Bandits took their first loss of the season.

Jim Rochford started the game on the mound for the Bandits. Rochford pitched 6 innings, giving up only 5 hits and 4 walks, 2 runs (1 earned), and struckout 2. Grantsburg scored first in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Honkers started the inning with a lead-off single, an out and an error later, the Honkers had men on first and 2nd with no outs. Rochford was able to a induce a groundball that forced out a man at 2nd. With runners on the corners the Honkers #9 batter and catcher was able to slap a base hit to left field, scoring the man from 3rd.

The Bandits came right back in the top of the 5th inning after Siqueiros's double. After 2B Curtis Roebuck bunted Siqueiros over to 3rd, the Honkers pitcher walked the next two batters. Siqueiros was able to score on a wild pitch, sending the SS Kyle Kahl and CF Scott Lindholm to 3rd and 2nd respectively, with only 1 out. The Bandits, however, were not able to capitalize, scoring only the 1 run.

The Honkers came back and scored in the 6th - scoring a run off of a very untimely error at 1B with 2 outs and a Honker on 3B, giving Grantsburg a 2-1 lead. The Bandits tied it back up in the top of the 7th. Two walks and an infield hit gave the Bandits a great position to score a lot of runs with no outs. Lindholm was at the plate and hit the ball sharpely to the Honkers first baseman. The Honker threw the ball home in hopes of getting Siqueiros, running from 3rd,with a force-out. Siqueiros beat the throw home and the Bandits tied the game at 2, bases still loaded and nobody out. The Bandits bats abandoned them again when the opportunity was ripe for more runs, and the next three batter struck out.

Trevor Todd relieved Rochford in the 7th inning, but had trouble finding consistency in early in the inning, walking 2 before getting his first out. The next batter hit a blooper that just stayed fair down the right field line, scoring a runner, and giving the Honkers another one run lead. The Honkers scored again in the inning taking a 4-2 lead into the 8th. The Honkers, however, tried to give the lead up in the top of the eigth. After getting the first 2 outs, Siqueiros and Roebuck reached on errors and Kahl walked, loading the bases for Lindholm-who then also reached base on an error, allowing Siqueiros to score his third run of the game. However, for the 4th time of the game, the Bandits struckout with the bases loaded.

In summary the Bandits played a good game, scattering 3 errors (only one that hurt) and getting seven hits and drawing six walks. As starting pitcher Jim Rochford said, "Its always a better feeling to get a win, but in a non-conference game like this, we just have to go out there and try to shake some of the winter rust off. We left a lot of guys on base today, and struck out too many times, but I am very optimistic for this season....if we can score 3 runs a game when Gagner pitches we'll finish the season with 10 or 11 conference wins. I know those are bold words coming from a team that went 2-13 in conference last season, guess that just shows how optimistic I am."

The Bandits next game is Friday at Isanti at 7:30 and then the home opener is Saturday 5/9 at the St. Croix Falls High School field, where ace Jay Gagner will be pitching against the Blaine Fusion. The Bandits will be handing out free giveaways to fans all season at every home game. Saturdays game will be free mini-poster schedules for all those in attendance. Come out and watch a game, its free entertainment.

*Notes*

Game Balls: I'll break this down Hockey Style

1st ball: Catcher Steve Siqueiros - scored all 3 Bandits runs and called a great game behind the plate

2nd ball: Pitcher Jim Rochford - pitched 6 solid innings, scattering 5 hits and 4 walks. Allowed only 1 earned run, 2 total and struck out 2.

3rd ball: LF Trevor Todd and CF Scott Lindholm combined to go 4 for 7 on the day accounting for over half of the Bandits total hits.

Unheralded hero of the day: Curtis Roebuck - made 10 defensive plays without an error, and executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that would later score Steve Siqueiros

The Bandits will be having a fundraiser in conjunction with The Boulevard Bar and Grill in Dresser. On May 23rd between 8pm and 12am you can receive unlimited tap beer if you purchase a Bandits Bash ticket from either your local Bandit or from the Boulevard. The tickets will be $10 to purchase and proceeds will go towards funding of the Bandits organization. Tickets can be purchased at the door on that Saturday.

Chris Chelberg has officially been put on the 60 Day - DL following a carpenter's knife accident...to put it kindly, who needs all five fingers anyway....right??

Michael Chelberg, son of Chris, did NOT bring his dog to the game on Sunday...76% of the reason we lost.

College kids come back next weekend.