Game Recap - Bandits drop another conference game, 8-2 to Ellsworth.

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-12, 0-7) are still struggling to find a conference win. The Bandits traveled to Ellsworth on Friday night for the 2nd time in 2 years. Last year's game ended in a 1-0 thriller in which the only run scored was unearned. The Bandits had threatened in the top of the ninth but couldn't get anyone across the plate.

This year's game was a lot less thrilling. For the sixth time this season lead off batter and CF Scott Lindholm reached base and scored in the first inning. And for the sixth time, the Bandits have come up empty. Linholm reached on an error, stole 2nd, and was able to score on a 1B Trevor Todd single.

SP Michael Chelberg came out strong, getting 3 quick outs on only 7 pitches. However, the Hubbers came rearing back in the 2nd inning. Jeremiah Paulson led off the inning with a double, and was knocked in by a Garrett Birkel single. The Hubbers loaded the bases after a walk and another single. Chelberg was able to induce a double play ball that was played cleanly by 3B Jeff Johnson who fired the ball home, where C Siqueiros stepped on the plate and threw down to 1B for the second out. Jordan Zimmer grounded out to 3B to end the inning, and the Hubbers only came away with 1 run.

The Bandits were not so lucky in the bottom of the third. Chelberg walked the first two batters of the 3rd inning, and 3-batter and starting third baseman Scott DeWyre hit a game breaking HR to left center. The Hubbers were not finished, scoring 2 more runs in the inning and chasing Chelberg out of the game. The Hubbers led 6-1 after 4.

Pitcher Will Ball made his debut for the Bandits and threw 4 2/3 innings and let up only 3 hits, 1 run, and 5 walks, while striking out 5 in relief. Trevor Todd came in relief in the 8th, striking out 2, allowing only 1 hit and 1 unearned run.

The Bandits scored only one more run in the game - in the 7th.

This is the Bandits 8th game where they have let up at least 1 big inning. "We play consistent baseball for most of the game, but it seems like somewhere between the 2nd and 5th we just lay an egg out there. Whether its poor defense, costly walks, or whatever, we just seem to internally blow up and give up a big lead at some point in the game. 90% of the time, you're going to lose every time when you do that." stated Bench Coach Jim Rochford. Rochford went on to say, "We did get a very good performance out of Will Ball tonight, and Trevor Todd is much improved over these last two games, our goal for the rest of the season should be to improve upon last year where we had 2 conference wins. Right now we are 0-7 in conference with lots of baseball left. Last season we won 2 games in conference, I'll be happy with 4, especially with Gagner hurt."

**Notes**

Game Balls

1. Will Ball - great debut for Will. went 2-4 at the plate, threw 4 2/3 innings giving up only a single run, and scattering 3 hits.

2. Bandits Baserunners: Chelberg, Lindholm, Kahl all had stolen bases and DH Tim Wampfler claimed he would have nabbed one, but the ball was put in play - which took away a double play ball.

3.

Unheralded Hero of the Day

The Big Horn in Beldenville, where the Bandits wash away all of their southern away game blues.

Wow Play of the Game:

Probably DeWyre homerun or the sweet Bandits double play with the bases loaded and no outs in the 2nd.

Players Missing in Action:

Jay Gagner - 15 day disabled list (tendonitis)

Jim Rochford - baby watching

Adam Lewis -working

Curtis Roebuck -coaching

Jake Larcom - coaching

Matt Vold - ACTs

Gus Koecher - ACTs

Tim Whittenberger: working