Game Recap: Bandits win conference opener vs. Bay City

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-0, 2-2) won their second straight game, and first conference game of the 2010 season versus the Bay City Bombers (0-3 conference) in Bay City on Saturday. The Bandits started the first inning off in style. Second-year player Michael VanderPlas, starting 3b, hit a solo homerun-bomb with 2 outs and no one on to give the Bandits an early 1-0 lead. His homerun is only the 4th homerun in Bandits history, and 2nd homerun in Bay City.

Trevor Todd started on the mound for the Bandits. Todd pitched admirably, giving up only 7 hits, but struggled with control throughout the game. The Bandits tacked on another run in the top of the third inning, when VanderPlas doubled to left center, scoring Michael Chelberg from 1st base. The Bombers rallied back in the bottom of the third inning. Todd walked 3B Shaun Strain and plunked 1B Larry Nance. RF Bump Ulvenes reached on an error which scored the Bombers first run. 2B LeMarcus Flack doubled to left, scoring two more runs for the Bombers - all with no outs recorded. Todd bore down, inducing a strikeout and 2 infield outs to end the inning - with the Bombers up 3-2. The Bombers added another run in the bottom of the 4th inning, with back to back doubles by Nance and Ulvenes.

The score remained 4-2 until the top of the 6th inning, when the Bandits bats really woke up. SS Kyle Kahl led the inning off with a single, Siqueiros doubled(maybe....) to left center field (a certain HR shot if the Bandits were at home). Todd grounded into a fielder's choice, nabbing Kahl off 3rd. CF Scott Lindholm and 2B Curtis Roebuck followed up with RBI single's - sandwiching a Bombers passed ball that allowed Todd to score, and Lindholm to move into scoring position.

Leading 5-4 in the top of the 7th inning, the Bandits lucked into another run. With 2 outs and a runner on 3rd base, C Steve Siqueiros popped a 2-0 fastball straight up to the catcher Jrue Eaton. Eaton ran up the first base line a few feet and whipped around to catch the ball in fair play. The ball popped in and out of Eaton's mitt, landing in fair territory, allowing VanderPlas to score from 3rd.

Trevor Todd hit a brick wall in the bottom of hte 8th inning. After striking out CF Rick Flandrup, Todd allowed a walk, single, and 2 walks in order, cutting the Bandits lead to 6-5. Jim Rochford was called on to get the Bandits out of the jam. Rochford struck out Ulvenes and was able to get a groundout by Flack to end the inning, preserving the lead.

The Bandits added 2 more security runs in the top of the 9th inning. 1B Chelberg, Kahl, and VanderPlas led off the inning with singles. VanderPlas picked up his 3rd RBI of the day, singling in Chelberg. Trevor Todd grounded into a fielder's choice, with the 3rd baseman Shaun Strain stepping on 3rd base to nab Kyle Kahl, but then threw over to first base in an attempted doubleplay. The throw went wide, allowing VanderPlas to score all the way from 1st base. By the time the Bombers got out of the inning, the Bandits had a 3 run cushion, leading 8-5.

Rochford tried to make things interesting for the Bandits in the bottom of the 9th. Rochford issued a lead off walk, followed by a lazy line drive single into right field. Rochford was able to set down the next 3 batters, capping the game off with a swinging strikeout of LF Rajon Bowe.

In his post game press conference Rochford stated that this was a great win for the Bandits organization. "Historically speaking, we generally have the exact opposite type of game, great hitting to start the game, and poor hitting to end it. But we picked up our starting pitcher today, played generally good defense, and really came out hitting the ball today. 1 win in the bag, 8 more to go for playoff consideration.

***NOTES***

BOXSCORES Here

Game Balls

1. Michael VanderPlas - 4-5, 3R, 2B, HR, 3RBI

2. Michael Chelberg - 2-5, 2R

3. Trevor Todd - stuck in there, picked off some dudes, gave up only 4 ER on what most would deem a bad day on the hill.

Unheralded Hero of the Game - All 9 Bandits who showed up to play, you guys are dedictated son's of b#$ches.

WOW Play of the Day - You'd think I would say Michael VanderPlas's Price Fielder-esque HR, I say its Trevor Todd in the bottom of the 5th inning: walks a batter...picks him off, hits a batter.....picks him off, walks a batter.........picks him off....all 3 outs. Who needs to throw strikes?

Things Heard Around the Diamond - not much....no one to hear anything.....everyone was on the field.

Players Missing in Action:

Adam Lewis - got a new job selling kittens to wolves
Jeff Johnson - realized that baseball season started around 9pm Saturday evening..
HS Posse - splitting games in their double-header.
Brian Jacobson - saying unfavorable things about the Posse during their game vs. Bruce

Next Game is Sunday vs. Pine City at SCF