Posts
The Bandits didn't win their first game of the season in 2009 until June 9th - starting the season on a franchise worst 11-game losing streak. Luckily the Saint Croix River Bandits (0-0, 1-2) won't have to worry about such a circumstance this season as they won their first game of the season against the Minneapolis Cubs on Mother's Day Sunday.
The Bandits started P Will Ball on the mound who had success in his rookie season last year posting a 3.12 ERA in 17 1/3 innings pitched. Ball got through the first inning unscathed - with the help of an 8-9-4-3 double play.
The Bandits struck first in the bottom of the first inning. CF Scott Lindholm reached on a base on balls. Trevor Todd grounded into a fielder's choice, switching him with Lindholm and an out. Todd was able to reach 2nd base on a passed ball during DH Brian Jacobson's at bat. Jacobson would strike out, getting C Steve Siqueiros to the plate with 2 outs. Siqueiros was only 2-9 to start the season, but was able to smack a single to the outfield, scoring Todd from 2nd base. RF Michael VanderPlas would walk to get runners on 2nd and 1st with 2 outs. SS Kyle Kahl grounded out to 2nd base and the Bandits led 1-0 after one inning.
The 2nd inning turned into a pitching nightmare for rising star Will Ball. Ball walked the first batter and then allowed two consecutive hits, scoring Rossum who had walked. Ball then walked the next four batters, all on full counts. Trevor Todd came on in relief and was able to close out the inning, but the damage had already be done, leaving the Bandits trailing 3-1.
The Bandits got a run back in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Siquieros reached base with a 1-out single. Michael VanderPlas popped out to 2nd base for the 2nd out of the inning. The Cubs followed that up with consecutive errors on Kyle Kahl and Curtis Roebuck's at bat, allowing Siqueiros to score - cutting the lead to 3-2.
Trevor Todd threw another gem, this time in relief. Todd pitched 7 and 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 9 batters.
With the Bandits trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Bandits were poised to lose their third game in a row by the margin of 1 run. Trevor Todd led the inning off with a single and promtly stole 2nd base. Jacobson hit a deep "single" to the right center field gap, scoring Todd from 2nd base. Will Ball pinch ran for Jacobson and was advanced to 2nd on a Siqueiros ground out. Michael VanderPlas hit a sharp single to center field, and Ball attempted to score the winning run from 2nd base - running through at least one stop sign. Ball was gunned down at home for the 2nd out, VanderPlas was able to gain 2nd base on the throw home. Kyle Kahl followed with a single, however, VanderPlas was caught leading too far off of third base, and was run down for the third out of the inning.
Jim Rochford entered the top of the 10th inning in relief of Trevor "Chuck" Todd. Rochford struggled in his last outing and was hoping to shut down the Cubs for as long as could - as the pitching options for the Bandits were not optimal. Rochford was able to get three quick outs, and put the Cubs back on defense for the 10th inning.
2B Curtis Roebuck led the inning off with a 4-walk. Next up was.....relief pitcher Jim Rochford? When Rochford entered in the top of the 10th he came in for first baseman Jesse Hartel, who was struggling at the plate, sending Trevor Todd over to first base. Rochford went up with the mind set to bunt. Rochford saw three straight balls, and pulled his bunt back each time. The fourth pitch to Rochford came in high and tight. Rochford pulled back but the pitch hit him straight on the forearm. Next up was Bandit first-timer Kevin VanBrackhorst - a disciple of the Mike Leaky School of Baseball. Van Brackhorst hit a sharp grounder, that the young Cubs shortstop ranged to his left for and snagged. The shortstop then threw over to first to get Van Brackhorst but his throw was errant, allowing Roebuck to score, and giving the Bandits the 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
In his post game interview Jim Rochford had this to say. "That was a good game, we needed that one. It took so long for us to win our first game last year. Trevor Todd had another amazing outing. Our bats were quite for awhile, but 9 hits isn't something I'll complain about. Thanks to Vandy and Will's baserunning skills I was able to come in and steal the win from Trevor.
***NOTES***
Boxscore Here
Game Balls
1. Trevor Todd - 7.2 IP, 0ER, 2H, 4BB, 9K & 1-4, 2R, SB
2. Steve Siqueiros - 2-5, R, RBI
3. Brian Jacobson - 1-5, game tying RBI in 9th.
Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: Jesse Hartel, Mike Leahy, & Kevin VanBrackhorst for coming out and helping some shorthanded Bandits.
WOW Play of the Day: CF Scott Lindholm's last second decision to dive for a fly ball in the top of the first inning, pinning his throwing arm underneath his body as he made the catch and RF Michael VanderPlas promptly grabbing the ball from Lindholm's glove and throwing back into the inflield, where 2B Curtis Roebuck threw the ball over to first base to double up the baserunner.
Things heard on and off the Diamond....
"You have to get a better stare down after you get hit by a pitch"
"Seriously.....Jesse could hear your ass from 1st base."
in reponse: "That's all Leinie's baby"
Players Missing in Action
Michael Chelberg - car broken down
Adam Lewis - $ broken down
Jeff "Plow" Johnson - body broken down
HS Posse - opponent's broken down
Tim Wampfler - tha's right Tim...I added you!
Next game is at Bay City, May 15th.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment