Bandits take loss against Isanti 6-1

The St. Croix River Bandits dropped to 0-2 after playing a talented Isanti team Friday night. Isanti jumped all over the Bandits and starting pitcher Jim Rochford in the first inning, scoring 3 runs off of 3 hits and a sac fly. Rochford allowed two more runs in the other 4 innings he pitched, giving up a whopping 8 hits in only 5 innings. "I was locating okay in the strike zone, some stuff was left up, some stuff they dumped over into right field, but some stuff they just hammered. Those two batters I hit in the first inning was really a let down, if get those guys out they don't score any runs that inning."

The Bandits offense struggled throughout the game as the Isanti pitchers was not someting the Bandits bats needed this early in the season. The Bandits managed just 1 hit (from starting SS John Peterson) and had 4 batters walk. The Redbirds starting pitcher Adam West had a perfect game going through5 innings, but lost it in the top of the 6th when he walked RF Mike VanderPlas.

The Bandits scored their lone run in the 6th inning when after VanderPlas walked, 3B Preston Langer hit a sharp groundball to 3B, Redbird Tyler Schaff made a great defensive play and winged the ball over the 2B. However the second baseman missed the play allowing it to drop in right field and VanderPlas advanced to 3rd. Vandy was then able to score on a swinging strike three by 2B Curtis Roebuck which was in the dirt. The catcher had to throw to first to get Roebuck out and Vandy made a great read and ran home to score the Bandits lone run.

Adam Lewis came in the pitch the 6th and beyond. Lewis gave up only 1 run on 4 hits, but did yield a couple of walks.

Next game is Saturday at 1pm vs. Blaine. AT THE METRODOME! I mean at the SCF High School Field.

**Notes**

Game Balls

1 - Tie: JP got our only hit so I suppose he is the offensive player of the game....we'll tie him with Vandy who scored our lone run.

3 - Defensive play of the game came from Curtis Roebuck who "missed" a line drive with the bases loaded and no infield fly rule called. Curtis threw to second and then somehow mysteriously was able to get 1 of the runners standing on first base out.....or something like that..its was confusing.

Unheralded Hero of the Day: Umpire Jim Jarvis, called a good game with a good sized strike zone, make those batters swing!

The Bandits played a pretty solid game defensively with only 1 statistical error. The outfielders said they made some bad read on the flyballs, but I have seen way worse.

Key players not in attendance: SS Kyle Kahl - speaking at a graduation ceremony, 3B Mitch Thompson - missed the team bus, OF Joe Holman - herniated metatarsal, 3b/1b Jeff Johnson - laxative overdose.

Bandits Away Attendance: 5 (6 if you include Laura's unborn child).