Weekend Preview - Conference Play Begins!

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-0, 1-2) will begin conference play starting Saturday at Bay City Bombers and following up on Sunday at home vs. Plum City Blues.

The Bandits have been struggling in the batter's box as a team, but that hasn't stopped Bandits starters Michael Chelberg, Michael VanderPlas, and Steve Siqueiros from batting a combined .346 over the first three games. The Bandits defense has provided fans with highlight dives and slides already this season, and has already turned 3 double plays - as compared to 4 turned all last year.

The Bandits have Trevor Todd slated to take the mound on Saturday versus The Bay City Bombers. Todd is 0-1 this season with an ERA of 1.23 and 15 strikeouts in 14 and 2/3 innings pitched. The Bandits are 2-0 lifetime vs. Bay City. Bay City is also the site of the Bandits 1st homerun - coming off the bat of Adam Lewis. Bay City (0-2, 0-4) has been struggling as of late. The Bombers dropped a close game to Plum City, 1-0, before getting hammered by the Hager City Skeeters 8-2. The 2010 Bombers have lacked consistancy on defense, averaging 2-3 errors per game. Advanced scouting on the Bombers is very lacking as they play 90 minutes away from SCF and they do not have a web site.

The Bandits will be short-staffed going down to Bay City - as the HS calvary is still playing ball and some regulars have not been so regular this season. The Bandits probable lineup:

1B Michael Chelberg
SS Kyle Kahl
3B Michael VanderPlas
C Steve Siqueiros
P Trevor Todd
CF Scott Lindholm
2B Curtis Roebuck
RF Will Ball
LF Jim Rochford??? (whoa...)

The Plum City Blues will be the Bandits conference home season opener on Sunday. The Blues are 1-1 in conference play with their win against Bay City and loss against perenial powerhouse Prescott. The Blues will undoubtedly pitch Tony Garner, who may as well be paying for the Bandit's expenses as he literally OWNS the team. The Bandits are 0-2 versus Garner with at batting average of .129 over 2 games, scoring 2 runs in 18 innings, and compiling 28 strikeouts. Pitcher Jim Rochford states, "We just have problems against Tony Garner, he'll come in here, throw about 150 pitches and probably not even sweat. He is the one starting pitcher in the this league we just haven't figure out yet." The Bandits hope that their luck will change pitting sophomore Bandit Will Ball on the mound. The Bandits probably Sunday starting lineup:

3B Michael Chelberg
SS Kyle Kahl
DH Brian Jacobson
C Steve Siqueiros
LF Michael VanderPlas
1B Trevor Todd
CF Scott Lindholm
2B Curtis Roebuck
RF/P Jim Rochford/Will Ball