Game Recap - Bandits win thriller in 13 innings.

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-7, 2-12) won their first conference game on Sunday afternoon against the River Falls Fighting Fish (5-3, 6-8) by the score of 5-4. I don't even know where to begin. The game lasted a whopping 13 innings, and featured 4 lead changes, 2 home runs, men stranded on 3rd with no outs, and more.

The game started with CF Scott Lindholm reaching base in the 1st inning for the 10th time in 14 games by crushing a double to right center field. Lindholm advanced to third on a SS Gus Koecher ground out. After 1B Trevor Todd struck out, C Steve Siqueiros came to the plate. During Siqueiros's at bat, Fish SP Josh Eidam threw a wild pitch and Lindholm bolted for home. The ball ended up being partially blocked by Fish C Trevor Gutting and he was able to recover and throw the ball to Fish SP Josh Eidam to tag out Lindholm at the plate.

Bandits SP Jim Rochford, was on his game, changing speeds and keeping hitters off-balance. Rochford did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. Rochford gave up a walk and a hit that inning, and the Fish had runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. Fish DH Joe Paatalo hit a line drive to Koecher, who then tried to throw out Fish SS Brian Giebel who was hustling back to 2nd base. Koecher's throw was high and was tipped by 2B Curtis Roebuck's glove, both Fish runners then tried to advance and in the flurry of action, RF Will Ball charged the ball and was able to throw out the runner advancing from first at 2nd base, which, oddly, was being covered by LF Tim Wampfler. This would be the first 6-5-9-7 double play in Bandits history.

The Bandits struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trevor Todd hit a 1-out single to center field that was misplayed by fish CF Clint Kempf, and allowed Todd to advance to 2nd. Todd was able to score on a Steve Siqueiros 2 strike-single. The next batter was 3B Michael Chelberg. Chelberg was making his debut at 3B after a second inning injury to starting 3B Jeff Johnson - Johnson appears to have pulled a hamstring and is day to day. Chelberg was able to poke a single to the outfield, giving him his first hit of the game, and the Bandits had runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Unfortunately, Will Ball struck out, and Tim Wampfler grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning. Bandits up 1 - 0.

The Fighting Fish continued to struggle while Rochford was on the mound, getting only 1 hit over the next three innings. The score was 1-0 Bandits going into the top of the 8th inning. Fish 2B and #9 hitter, Sam Giliuson hit a 2-1 fastball straight up the middle of the field for a lead off single. Eidam then followed with a sacrifice bunt, advancing Giliuson to 2nd. Rochford threw a first-pitch curveball to Fish 3B Nathan Brom, who dropped the head of the bat and gave a mighty uppercut swing. The bat connected, and the ball sailed out to left field, over Wampfler's head, and over the fence for a 2-run HR. After the game Rochford stated, "Usually I don't have enough gas on my pitches, especially my curveball, for anyone to actually hit it out of the park. I was hoping for a flyball to center or left, but I guess he hit it a little too far." Rochford finished the inning and the Bandits were down 2-1.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Bandits had their 3-4-5 hitters coming up, but Eidam was able to get the Bandits to hit into 2 quick outs on 2 pitches. Chelberg was able to hammer a double down the right field line, putting a man in scoring position. Will Ball swung at the first pitch he saw and flared the ball into short right field. Fish RF Adam Brathol sprinted in, Chelberg was rounding 3rd - ready to score and tie the game, and Brathol completely laid out to make a diving grab and preserve the Fish 2-1 lead over the Bandits.

Rochford took the hill for the Bandits once more in the 9th inning, but it didn't last long. Fish's Trevor Gutting, who was 0-3 so far in the game, hit line drive up the middle to give the Fish a baserunner with 0 outs. Bandits management made the call to bring in Curtis Roebuck in relief.
Rochford's final line: 8IP, 6H, 2BB, 2ER, 1K. Fish's Kempf sacrifice bunted Gutting over to second on the first pitch by Roebuck. While Roebuck was pitching to #9 batter Giliuson, he threw a wild pitch which allowed Gutting to reach 3rd with only 1 out. The Bandits brought in infield in to protect against the runner scoring on a groundball. Roebuck was able to induce Giliuson to pop out harmlessly to 2B Preston Langer, who had replaced Rochford on the field after the defensive switch that allowed Roebuck to take the mound. After Eidam walked, Brom then came up to bat with 2 out and Gutting still on third. Brom again tried to knock the ball out of the park, but got a little under it, sending a high flyball into center field where Lindholm was able to make the catch.

Bottom of the ninth inning, and the Bandits needed a run to tie and 2 to win. Tim Wampfler, who 0-3, was hit by a pitch and was able to take first base. Langer then bunted Wampfler over to 2nd base. Curtis Roebuck hit a flyball to LF for the 2nd out of the inning. The Bandits were down to their last out with CF Scott Lindholm at bat. Lindholm was 1-4 with 2 strikeouts versus Fish P Josh Eidam. Lindholm took the first strike, and fouled off the 2nd pitch. Down in the count, 0-2, Lindholm hit a weak line drive to center field, and Wampfler took off from 2nd. The throw from center field came in too late, allowing Wampfler to score and tie the game at 2, and Lindholm was able to take 2nd base when the defense threw home. Gus Koecher then sharply hit a line drive up past the pitcher into center field and quickly got to Fish CF Kempf. Kempf came up firing as third base coach Jim Rochford waved Lindholm home. The throw was on the mark and beat Lindholm to the plate by a couple feet, and he was tagged out easily, sending the game into extra innings.

The Fish looked poised to take the lead in the 10th inning. Roebuck walked Giebel to start the inning. Giebel stole 2nd, and was able to reach 3rd after the Bandits muffed the throw down to 2nd. Roebuck walked #4 batter Gilbertson, prompting the Bandits to bring in lefty Trevor Todd. Todd's job was to not give up a big inning, and he did even better. With the infield in, #5 batter Joe Paatalo grounded out to Koecher at short. Koecher had to make a stretch up the middle to get to the ball, and if Giebel had run home, there is a good chance he would have scored, but he stayed at third and Koecher was able to make the play. Scott Warrington followed with a flyball to very short right field. Will Ball came charging in and made the catch, and gave Giebel no chance to score from 3rd. Todd was able to strike out Gutting, stranding Fish on 3rd and 2nd, after they had 2 men in scoring position with 0 outs.

The Bandits put together a threat in the 10th. Todd reached on an error, and was moved to 2nd with a sac bunt by Siqueiros. Chelberg was next up and was 3-4 on the day vs. Fish P Eidam, who was still in the game. The Fish decided to intentionally walk Chelberg to get to Will Ball. The decision paid off, as Ball grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

In the top of the 12th inning, the Fish were finally catching up to Bandits P Trevor Todd. Todd gave up 5 hits in the inning, including a double by Scott Warrington, but was able to get out of the inning, letting up only 2 runs, and leaving men stranded on 2nd and 3rd.

In the bottom of the 12th, the Bandits were still upbeat, and the Fish had finally changed pitchers as Josh Eidam left the game and Ryan Gilbertson relieved. Gilbertson got Koecher to fly out to center field for the first out. Trevor Todd then singled on the first offering he saw from Gilbertson. C Steve Siqueiros was the next batter. Siqueiros was 3-4 on the day vs. Eidam including a double to deep left field. Siqueiros was even at 1-1 in the count when he blasted a pitch to deep left field again. The ball soared past LF Eidam and over the fence. Siqueiros tied the game on a 2-run HR. The first Bandits HR on their home field in their three year history.

The drama continued in the 13th, with Trevor Todd still on the mound. Todd gave up a one out double to Nathan Brom, followed by a sharp single by Brian Giebel. Todd bore down, and struck out the next two batters, stranding the Fish again on third and second.

The Bandits started the bottom of the 13th inning with 2 strikeouts. #9 hitter Curtis Roebuck was able to plop a single into left field to give the Bandits a base runner. Scott Lindholm was then hit by a pitch on a weird play. Lindholm called for a time out. but time was not given by the umpire as the P Gilbertson was already in motion. Gilbertson, maybe distracted by all the commotion in the batters box, struck Lindholm, moving Roebuck to 2nd. Gus Koecher ended the game with a blast down the left field line, allowing Curtis Roebuck to score easily and gave the Bandits their first conference and home win of the season.

"This is the greatest game we have played as a team. We have won some great games, but those were mostly an individual performance by our ace Jay Gagner. Today everyone chipped in, whether it was fantastic fielding or sac bunts." said SP Jim Rochford. CF Scott Lindholm added, "We came a long way as a team today."

The Bandits next game is Friday at Menomonie at 7:30pm and the next home game is Father's Day June 21st. vs. Bay City. The Bandits are 0-2 lifetime vs. Menomonie and 1-0 vs. Bay City.

June 21st vs. Bay City - the first 15 fans will receive a free stainless steel travel mug presented by the General Store in Taylors Falls. Free sparklers will also be given out to all kids ages 18 and under.

NOTES

Game Balls

1. Steve Siqueiros - 4/5, 2B, HR, 3RBI, sac bunt. That home run was amazing.

2. Gus Koecher - 2/7 GW RBI - enough said

3. Pitchers Jim Rochford, Curtis Roebuck, Trevor Todd 13 IP 4 ER allowed, got out of jams and kept the defense on their toes

WOW PLAY of the Game: Michael Chelberg attempted to steal 2nd base; unfortunately the base was currently occupied by Steve Siqueiros. Chelberg, then standing on 3B, openly asked Steve why he hasn't gone yet, even though the catcher had the ball in hand and was running down the 3rd baseline. After Steve gave Chelberg the glare of death, Chelberg scurried back to 2B, and the Fish catcher Trevor Gutting did not attempt a play, as he did not want to miscue and allow Siqueiros to score in a tight game. Congrats Michael, I guess you thought Steve was stealing home?

Unheralded Hero of the Game: This usually doesn't go to the opposing team, but Josh Eidam pitched 11 innings, walked no batters and let up only 2 runs, I bet his arm feels just great today.
Also some dap to fan Brian Jacobson, we always play better when our old coach is watching.

Steve Siquieros hit the first Bandits HR at our home field.

This is the first extra inning win for the Bandits in Bandit history.

Jim Rochford has only given up 5 ER in 16 conference innings.

Gus Koecher showed more range than any previous Bandits shortstop in 3 years.

I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of things, lots happened in the game, especially after the 9th inning.

Players Missing in Action:
Adam Lewis - saving lives, delivery babies, feeding the poor, and clearing land mines.
Jay Gagner - still looking for a donor for an extra elbow ligament.
Kyle Kahl - "had to" go to his fiance's brother's uncle's mother's dog's friend's graduation party.
John Peterson - handcuffed to a bedpost.
Matt Vold - ooo, look at me, I'm Matt Vold, I am good enough to play for Team Wisconsin...oooo I'm playing against Nebraska today.

Will Ball - oh wait you showed up for the game...LATE...don't do it again!

Estimated Attendance: 50-75