Game Recap - Bandits defeated, slowly but surely, by the New Richmond Millers.

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-9, 3-14) were baffled by Tim Brown and the New Richmond Millers on Wednesday night in New Richmond. "The first time around when we played those guys at home, even though we lost, I wasn't that impressed for a team that had such a good conference record (now 7-3), but tonight I was. They looked great, timely hitting, extra base hits, disciplined plate appearances, sound defense, and a great effort by starting pitcher Tim Brown." stated manager Jim Rochford. "Their head coach, Ryan Stephens, has that team firing on all cylinders. They are a young and talented group of players that will be competitive for some time in the SCVBL."

The Bandits were only out hit 7 to 9 on Wednesday night but the Bandits, once again, could not string hits together, getting only more than 1 hit in an inning one time, in the first when the Bandits scored their lone run. Scott Lindholm led off the game with a single, and stole 2nd base. Michael Chelberg reached on an infield single that ricocheted off of Miller SP Tim Brown. While clean up hitter Steve Siqueiros was batting, Brown threw a high pitch, that tipped off the glove of catcher Matt Peterson. Lindholm dashed home and the throw was not in time. The Bandits had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out, after Siqueiros walked. Millers veteran pitcher Brown bared down and got Kyle Kahl and Adam Lewis to strike out, ending the inning with only 1 run given up.

The Millers popped right back in the bottom of the 1st. Miller's center fielder (and player of the game) Hayden Zimmerman hit a lead off double to left field. Starting pitcher Will Ball (making his first start as a Bandit) was able to strikeout the next batter, Jon Will. Zimmerman reached third on a Scott Emerson single and was able to score on a Curt Kleinschmidt sacrifice fly to right field.

The Bandits had troubles connecting on Tim Brown's pitches all evening. Brown ended up striking out 10 Bandits, inducing 2 comebackers to the pitcher, and getting the Bandits to ground into 2 double plays.

The Millers, Zimmerman got aboard in the 3rd inning with a walk and was drove home with Jon Will's only hit of the day, a double to deep left center. The Millers held a 2-1 lead until the bottom of the 6th inning when they struck again. Bandits miscues led to 2 runs being scored (and could have been more, if not for some timely defense) with an error, hbp, and 2 singles leading the way. Once again, it seems that every error the Bandits make comes around to haunt them - that's why we love baseball. Trevor Todd relieved Ball with 2 outs in the 6th, and batters on 2nd and 1st with 2 outs and was able to strike out Miller's RF Ron Peterson to end the inning. Millers up 4-1.

The Millers struck again in the 7th for 2 more. Zimmerman led the inning off with a triple to right center and was scored on an Emerson single. Emerson advanced to second base when Kleinschmidt grounded out to first. Millers SS Mitch Paquin hit a ground ball to SS Kyle Kahl who overthrew firstbaseman Adam Lewis. Paquin sped towards 2nd base, but Lewis got to the ball quickly and threw to 2B Curtis Roebuck who was able to tag out Paquin at 2nd base. Unfortunately for the Bandits, Emerson was able to score during the chaos, before the tag was applied. Millers up 6-1.

Collin Svoboda, a high school senior from Luck, made his debut, and sadly as many Bandits pitchers do, struggled in his first men's league outing. Svoboda lasted 1/3 of an inning, not allowing any hits, but walking 3 and beaning 1. "He threw some good pitches, he just needs to locate a little lower in the zone, almost every Bandits pitcher I have seen has struggled in their first outing. In my first game 3 years ago, I walked 6 batters and hit 2 more over 4 innings, and that was against a Quamba team that was a lot less disciplined at the plate than this team. I fully expect him to bounce back." stated manager Jim Rochford.

Speaking of Rochford, when he went to the mound to take Svoboda out of the game, he asked catcher Steve Siqueiros, "Who should we have go in? Chelberg or Roebuck." Siqueiros answered, "You." With a befuddled look, Rochford trotted back to the dugout to retrieve his glove and plodded out to the pitchers mound. Rochford's first pitch was a strike on the inner half of the plate to lefty Jon Will, who popped/lined/blooped the ball over to third base where Chelberg was able to make the catch and throw over to Roebuck at 2nd base to double off Ron Peterson. All in all, Rochford's appearance, 1 pitch, 2 outs.

The Millers opted against allowing Brown to complete the game, throwing fireballer Cody Torkelson. Torkelson's control was a bit inconsistent, but he got the job done. The game ended on a double play ball which symbolized exactly how the game played out.

"We were in the game for a long time and that team pretty much bled us to death. A run here, a run there, then 2 more, etc, etc. We start off real well against Brown and company here, but just can't put a whole game together. But like I said, I came off very impressed with New Richmond and wish them the best of luck in the playoffs." said Jim Rochford

The Millers are 7-3 and generally teams with a record over .500 make the postseason tournament. The Milers have 6 games left and it would be a shock to this columnist/or rather blogger, if they don't make it.

The Bandits won't see the Millers again until next season, and are 0-4 lifetime against them.

The Bandits next game isn't for 2 WHOLE WEEKS. July 8th at Osceola - we are hoping against hope that ace Jay Gagner will be ready from his elbow injury, but if not expect either of the lefties Trevor Todd or Jim Rochford to take the mound.

Game Balls:

1) Scott Lindholm: only Bandit with 2 hits, scored a run, and stole a base.

2) Will Ball: pitched a good game today for his first start. Allowed 4 runs over 5.2 innings, but only 2 were earned, scattered 7 hits, struck out 2 (and made 4 defensive plays - not bad for a pitcher)

3) Curtis Roebuck: 1-3 at the dish, but had a great fielding day 5 put outs and 3 assists and no errors. Robey was also involved in both of the Bandits double plays on D.

Unheralded Heroes of the Day:
We had a minimum of 20 Bandits fans come to the game on Wednesday night. We more than appreciate the support that you guys give us, even if some of the men are wearing the opposing team's colors or scarves around their neck.

WOW Play of the Day:
With Millers SS Mitch Paquin on 2nd base, DH Aaron Frei hit a single to RF where Bandits Michael VanderPlas threw a bead to Bandits catcher Steve Siqueiros. Siqueiros caught the ball and instead of bracing for impact from the charging Paquin, pretty much starting charging Paquin instead. It ended in a violent collision in which Siqueiros tagged the runner out, quite forcefully, to Paquin's chest and face. Siqueiros had hung on to the ball and then did the patented Steve-O glare down as Paquin was getting up. When asked about the play Siqueiros responded, "Well, I'm not going to just stand there and let HIM knock ME over." Whatever you say Steve-O.

Players Missing in Action
Jay Gagner - seriously just think of something, anything, and that is probably what Gagner was doing.
Matt Vold - whatever my excuse is, its better than his
Gus Koecher - the only 17 year old I know who works 80 hours a week, isn't there a law?
Jake Larcom - teaching 7th graders the correct way to banana 1st base
Adam Lewis's arm - just kidding
Jeff Johnson - ate too much Hawaiian Pizza and lost his will to live because it is so terrible
John Peterson - was busy turning time into money

I Learned Something Today.....
1. 9 hits in a game is no good if you get 1 an inning
2. Pete's Pizza will gladly stay open later for 12 hungry baseball players. Thanks Pete
3. 16 year olds still put $1 of gas in their car. How far is that going to get you? 4500 feet? Thats right I'm talking to you, kid at the Horse Creek gas station who was wearing a Manning Phoenix Suns basketball jersey and when asked about it stated, "I don't know, I don't watch....basketball."