Game Recap - Bandits capture 2nd conference win in 4-1 defeat of Bay City.

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-8, 3-13) won their 3rd game out of the past five on Sunday. The Bandits faced off against Bay City (2-6) and SP Jim Rochford once again took the mound. Rochford started last Sunday vs. River Falls, and threw 8 strong innings, but was not the pitcher of record in the victory.

The first four innings flew by as Rochford and Bay City starting pitcher Tony Schultz worked quickly, not allowing a runner past 2nd base. The bottom of the 5th inning was started by a SS Kyle Kahl single. 1B Michael Chelberg sacrifice bunted Kahl over to 2nd. The next batter, Adam Lewis, then singled to right center field, scoring Kahl from 2nd, and giving the Bandits a 1-0 lead. The Bandits had runners on 1st and 2nd in the 5th with only 1 out, but it took only 2 pitches for Schultz to get two quick outs from RF Michael VanderPlas and CF Scott Lindholm.

The Bombers got that run back in the top of the 6th. Rochford allowed a 2-out single to #3 hitter Shaun Strain, who was then able to steal 2nd base. Clean-up hitter and 1B Gregg Ulveais crushed a ball off of the right center field fence, scoring Strain from 2nd, with a double. The next batter, 3B Jordan Eggenberger, hit a sharp line drive down the line. Bandits 3rd baseman Jeff "Plow" Johnson made a stellar defensive play by diving over to his right and snagging the ball out of the air.

The Bandits came roaring back in the 6th inning. The Bandits led off the inning with 2 singles by 2B John Peterson and LF Trevor Todd. After a Steve Siqueiros fielder's choice, Kyle Kahl hit a single up the middle that scored Todd from 2nd base. 1B Michael Chelberg hit a sharp single to center field loading the bases with only 1 out. DH Adam Lewis grounded to the Bomber's Eggenberger at third base, but he was unable to make the play, allowing Lewis to reach 1st and Siqueiros to score from 3rd. Bandit's 3B Johnson then hit his 2nd single of the game, scoring Kahl. The Bandits looked poised to break the game open even further as Michael VanderPlas stepped to the plate with only 1 out and the bases still loaded. VanderPlas hit the hardest hit ball by a Bandit of the day, unfortunately Bomber's 1st baseman Gregg Ulvaeis snatched it out of the air and was able to double off Tim Wampfler (running for Johnson) who was scampering back to first base. The Bandits led 4-1 after the 6th inning.

The Bombers threatened in the 8th and 9th, but to no avail. Trevor Todd was brought into the game in the 8th inning with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 1st. After walking the bases loaded, Todd was able to strike out Eggenberger to end the inning. The Bombers were able to get runners on 2nd and 1st in the ninth inning after an error and a walk. But with 2 outs, Todd was able to "strike out" Bomber catcher and lead off batter Tim Eaton.

This was the Bandits 2nd victory over Bay City in the past two years and the 2nd conference victory of the season. "This was a good win for us, we are building confidence with every game we play. We have 6 conference games left and if we can go 3-3 in those last 6 it would be a huge improvement over last season." said starting pitcher Jim Rochford. The Bandits tied their conference win total from last year. The Bandits were 2-13 in the St. Croix Valley Baseball League in 2008, and are currently 2-8.

The Bandits next game is Wednesday at New Richmond at 7:30pm. The Bandits lost to the Millers 5-4 on May 31st.

**NOTES**

Game Balls

1. Jim Rochford 7.2 IP, 6hits allowed, 3BB, 1ER, and 4K

2. Kyle Kahl 2/4, 2R, RBI

3. Adam Lewis/Jeff Johnson - combined 4/8 with 3 RBI and a stolen base (obviously by Lewis)

Unheralded Hero of the Day:
Scott Lindholm was a downright nasty (in a good way) third base coach today.

WOW play of the Day: COMBO - Jim Rochford allowed 2 hits in the first inning, faced only 3 batters, and got 3 outs without a triple play....congrats there! Rochford also let up what would have been a sure home run in just about any park in the SCVBL to Bomber 2B Shaun Strain. But the ball hit a wall of wind out in deep left field and dropped in play for only a double.

Players Missing In Action (Will Ferrell style)
Jay Gagner - just waking up from a bender -I'm Ron Burgandy?
Matt Vold - practicing his fanciest ice skating maneuvers
Curtis Roebuck - getting kicked out of an Applebee's
Chris Chelberg - walking into the sunset with his pet monkey
Will Ball - fighting with his younger brother for the top bunk
Gus Koecher - steel cage match with a bear.