Game Recap - Bandits Notch 1st Win of Season in 11-1 victory over Siren.

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-11, 0-6) were able to come away with their first victory in 11 months yesterday in a 11-1 victory over the Siren Steelers. It was the first game this season where the Bandits were able to put together a complete effort, allowing only 1 run, making only 1 error, and collecting 10 hits, 11 walks, and scoring 11 times.

SP Trevor Todd had his best performance as a Bandit, throwing 7 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 2 walks, 1HBP, and 1 run (unearned), while striking out 13. Curtis Roebuck and JR Switala combined for 2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out 2 more Steelers.

The Bandits could have blown the game wide open a lot earlier in the game. In the first inning after 2 walks and a 3B Kyle Kahl infield hit loaded the bases with 0 outs, they were poised to take a big early lead. However, Steeler's SP Potvin was able to wriggle out of the jam, inducing 2 infield pop outs and striking out RF Michael VanderPlas.

The Bandits were able to score in the top of the third inning. CF Scott Lindholm reached for the 2nd time on a walk, bringing SS Matt Vold to the plate. Vold hit a high 3-2 fastball deep to center field where Steeler's CF Letch attempted to make a jumping, diving, over the back shoulder catch but could not get it. After seeing Letch not be able to make the play Vold turned the burners on, expecting to get a triple. As Vold was rounding 2nd, Third Base Coach Jim Rochford saw that the Steelers wouldn't have the ball to the first of 2 cut off men until Vold was near 3rd, so he sent Vold home. Vold has able to score, giving the Bandits their 1st HR of the season and the 2nd HR in Bandits history.

The Steelers were able to get a run back in the bottom of the 4th inning. Todd plunked the leadoff batter/Steeler catcher Sickler. The next batter, Harry Severson-Dickinson (HSD), who had just got done playing in the Sectional Final for Luck - who unfortunatly lost 2-0, lined a shot that ricocheted off of Todd's leg and into left field. HSD was able to get to 2nd base, and Sickler went to 3rd. Todd was able to strike the next 3 batters out. However, during the 2nd strikout victim's at bat, Todd threw the ball in the dirt and C Siqueiros was not able to get all of it, and the ball skipped past him. Sickler was able to score from 3rd base, the only Steeler run of the game.

The Bandits tacked on another 3 runs in the top of the 6th inning, with RBI hits by Lindholm and Vold. The game was scheduled to go just 7 innings, but after 6 1/2 the Steelers (down 5-1) approached Bandits Manager Jim Rochford about going the full 9 innings. After some deliberation by the coaches and umpiring crew (solo umpire "Bad" Brad Hopkins) it was decided the game would be extended.

The Steelers would probably take that proposition back if they had the chance. The Bandits scored 6 runs in the final 2 innings, and allowed only 2 hits. Vold had another hit in the 8th that drove in 2 runs. Vold and Kahl walked with the bases loaded in the 9th, and Todd had a 2 run single to make the score 11-1.

Overall, this was the best performance by the Bandits of the season. The Bandits have 2 conference games this weekend, including a rematch vs. River Falls, where the Bandits lost 11-1 in their last outing, even though they gave up only 5 hits. The Bandits hope they gained some momentum for the weekend, where they look for their first conference win of the season.

NOTES

Game Balls

1. Trevor Todd / Matt Vold

Trevor pitched 7 solid innings, and picked up the first win of the season for the Bandits.
Matt Vold went 3 for 4, 2B, HR, and 2 BB with 2 runs scored and a team record 6 RBI.

3. Tim Wampfler - although Wampy did not get a hit, he walked twice, and reached on an error, stole 5 bases, and scored 3 times.

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game:
Besides a strong Bandits defense, the SCRB traveling fans that not only came to the game on short notice but also kept score during the game. Oh and Brad Hopkins for umping the game on short notice. Thanks Brad.

WOW Play of the Game: Matt Vold's Inside the park HR.

Congrats on the Proposal Kyle Kahl, what a stud.

Broken Bandits Records:
Matt Vold: Most RBI in a single game: 6
Tim Wampfler: Most Stolen Bases in a single game: 5

Players Missing in Action:
Adam Lewis - *work
Jay Gagner -*work
Gus Koecher -*work
Michael Chelberg -*work
Jake Larcom -*work
Tim Whittenberger - *work
John Peterson - *work

* I'm not sure if work at the Border Lounge counts as work.....

Traveling Attendance: 7