Breaking Down the Numbers

I left off the other day with this:

With that said, that Bandits had gone 5-7 after starting the year 0-11. The Bandits final 12 games of the season saw them hit .225 (34 points higher than beginning of the season), sport a team ERA of 3.89 (vs. 6.23), have 2.4 errors per game (vs. 3.1) but only give up only 1.1 unearned runs per game. The run diffential for the 2nd half of the season was 49 runs scored to 60 runs allowed, only an 11 run difference over 12 games (.92 runs/game) - as compared to 5.5 runs a game in the first half. These stats (especially the hitting) are not out of this world - but they are a marked improvement.

Lets examine who was responsible. First, was the leaps and bounds made by the pitching staff. Yes, during the final half of the season the Bandits played Siren, Hager City x2 and Bay City, but they played playoff teams: Hudson, River Falls, Ellsworth, Menomonie x2, and a barely squeaked out of the playoffs Osceola team x2. The pitching staff consisted of three studs: Will Ball (17.1 IP, 3.12ERA), Jim Rochford (29.2 IP, 3.94ERA), and led by Trevor Todd (52.1 IP, 3.44ERA). Those three pitchers combined to post a 3.53 ERA during the 2nd half of the season, and threw all but 4.2 innings of those games.

Will Ball's first season as a Bandits was solid. Although he had inconsistent control at times this season, he proved to be a valuable asset to the pitching staff. Ball will be playing for Hibbing Com. Col. this fall and spring and should be back and ready to pitch for the Bandits next season.

Old Man Jim Rochford had another fine year, with victories over Hudson and Bay City. Rochford actually logged 4 more innings than in 2008 and walked 10 less batters, but struck out 10 less batters also. "I don't even try to strikeout anyone anymore, you have to be 0-2 or 1-2, and the 7 or 8 batter, for me to even think about it. Although it seems like I strike out more 3 - 4 batters because they want to hit the ball so hard. We'll see how many years I can keep this up before good teams figure it out."

Trevor Todd was the ace of the staff during the 2nd part of the year, pitching in 11 of the 12 games,starting 5 games and relieving 6 games. The only game Todd did not see action in was a non-conference game in Hager City. Todd only threw 11+ innings before the turning point in Siren and was hammered in 3 his 4 outings, giving up 10 runs in 12IP. But Todd was relentless in the 2nd half of the season. Todd shut the door on River Falls for the Bandits first conference win of the season. Todd pitched 2 complete games against Osceola, with a victory on the final game of the season. Todd set personal highs for IP, K, and W, and a personal low in ERA.

The increased batting average was more of the addition to a couple key players than it was to individuals increasing their own stats. A few players (Curtis Roebuck, Jeff Johnson, and Steve Siqueiros) slightly increased their batting stats in the 2nd half of the season. The rest of the team hit the same or a bit lower than the first half. The infusion came from high schoolers Matt Vold and Gus Koecher. Gus Koecher played in 5 games and hit .273 in the lead off position, which would tie him for 3rd on the team for batting average if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. Matt Vold hit an incredible .556 in 5 games with the Bandits, mainly hitting in the 3-hole.

More to come in part 3.

2009 Season Comes to An End - Let the Offseason Begin

The St. Croix River Bandits finished their season July 27th by beating the Osceola Braves. We are gonna take a quick recap of the season before going in depth about comparisons to previous seasons. The Bandits played a rough non-conference schedule this season including Isanti (27-7), Blaine (24-17), and Grantsburg (11-7 conf.). The Bandits started the season off with their worst losing streak in their 3 year history, losing their first 11 games, including dropping their first 6 conference games. The Bandits were outscored an amazing 89-28 over that 11 game period, touting a batting average .191 and an ERA of 6.23. Fielding wasn't the saving grace either, as the Bandits gave up nearly 3 unearned runs a game (2.8) on 3.1 errors per game.

Thats when Bandits scheduling braintrust, Scott Lindholm and Trevor Todd decided its time we played the Siren Steelers. Siren decided they would play the Bandits up in Siren with only 2 days (or less) notice. The result was a 11-1 victory, with the Bandits scoring 9 runs in the last 4 innings. This was the breakout game for Trevor Todd, who threw 7 innings, gave up 3 hits and 1 run, and struckout 13 batters. The Bandits dropped a game at Ellsworth but then picked up their first conference win of the season versus River Falls.

The River Falls game was an instant classic. The game went 13 innings long and the teams swapped the lead 5 times in the 5-4 Bandits victory, including a bottom of the 12th 2-run homerun by catcher Steve Siqueiros and Gus Koecher knocking in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.

The Bandits lost a close game to Menomonie (at Menomonie) the following Friday night, but picked up their 2nd win of the season that Sunday, 4-1, vs. Bay City. Jim Rochford got the win for the Bandits, his 2nd win vs the Bombers in two outings. Rochford pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up six hits and only 1 run. Trevor Todd picked up the 1 inning, and change, save.

The Bandits did lose their next 5 games (including 2 debacles against Hager City), but these game were a lot close than the average 5.5 run beating they took during their 11 game losing streak. The average margin of loss was under four runs, with two games being 2 run games.

The Bandits ended the season like power-houses though. The Bandits 2nd to last game of the season saw them knocking off then North Division leader Hudson - who had been on a 10 game winning streak. Jim Rochford and the Bandits took down Hudson 8-6 on Wanigan Day Sunday, and saw some amazing plays. Hudson scored 2 runs in the first, but the Bandits answered back with 3 of their own. Rochford led up 3 hits in the top of the 2nd. But with no outs and the bases loaded the Bandits were able to get out of the jam unharmed, thanks 100% to a diving catch by Gus Koecher in centerfield. The Bandits piled on 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th. The River Rats tried to claw back in the top of the ninth, scoring 4 runs, and having the tying run come to the plate. Trevor Todd was able to close the game out, and have the Bandits escape with a victory.

The Bandits last game of 2009 was a dream come true during a losing season. The Bandits were playing the rival Braves from Osceola. The Braves were had a record of 8-7 and needed one more victory to claim a playoff spot. A loss from the Bandits would effectively end their season. Trevor Todd pitched a complete game 3-2 victory, with the Bandits scoring the winning run in the 7th inning and holding on the 1-run lead.

With that said, that Bandits had gone 5-7 after starting the year 0-11. The Bandits final 12 games of the season saw them hit .225 (34 points higher than beginning of the season), sport a team ERA of 3.89 (vs. 6.23), have 2.4 errors per game (vs. 3.1) but only give up only 1.1 unearned runs per game. The run diffential for the 2nd half of the season was 49 runs scored to 60 runs allowed, only an 11 run difference over 12 games (.92 runs/game) - as compared to 5.5 runs a game in the first half.