Monday, June 28, 2010

Mid Season ReCAP

The Bandits started the conference season off on top by defeating the Bay City Bombers behind the bat of Michael VanderPlas, who hit went 4-5 with a HR and 3 RBI. The Bandits out-hit the Plum City Blues in an extra inning 1-run loss, where they were doomed by four defensive errors, and many runners stranded on base. The Bandits dropped below the .500 mark after a shellacking at the hands of the Ellsworth Hubbers, but rose to 2-2 after a come from behind victory versus the Elmwood Expos.

The Bandits dropped to 2-3 after another 1-run loss to the Osceola Braves, and have been on a losing streak since, dropping their last three games to Hudson, New Richmond, and River Falls.

The Bandits stand at a 2-6 record, with the playoffs all but a mathematical impossibility. Sadly, this is the Bandits best conference mark when it comes to mid-season records. The Bandits sat at 1-7 both of their first two seasons. In 2008, the Bandits would win only one more game to finish at 2-13 in conference. However, in 2009, the Bandits defeated three of their final eight opponents to finish at a clip of 4-12 in conference. General Manager Jim Rochford stated that anything less than 5 wins this season in conference will be a major disappointment. "We have to keep trending forward, we cannot accept another 4-win season."

Despite the shoddy record, the Bandits have been playing better baseball. Here is a breakdown of the batting, pitching, and team defense:

HITTING:

The Bandits are currently batting .253 in conference which is 48 points higher than last season and 63 points higher than their first season in 2008. The Bandits on-base percentage is at .338, and slugging percentage is at .303 which are both over 60 points higher than the first two seasons in the SCVBL. The Bandits are also striking out less (7.38K/g, .3k/g lower than 2009 and almost 2K/g lower than 2008) and walking more (4.38BB/g vs. 2.38 and 3.67BB/g). Runs scored per game is also up substantially from 2.81R/g in 2009 and 2.53R/g in 2008 to 4.12R/g in 2010.

So we do see some improvement, the Bandits happened to lose some games where they have out hit their opponents, and need to get some more clutch hitting out of their lineup.

MidSeason Offensive MVP: Michael Chelberg - CONF STATS - 29AB, .345BA, 6R, 4RBI, 3BB, 6K, 2SB, 2B.

HM1 - Michael VanderPlas
HM2 - Steve Siqueiros

PITCHING:

Bandits pitching has been a little rougher this year than last year. The Bandits ERA is up almost a full run to 5.60, opponent batting averages and WHIPs are also up. The Bandits pitching performances have been fair, but there have been now three conference outings where the pitching staff has let up at least 10 runs. In the other 5 outings the staff has only given up 4.60 total runs per game. The strikeouts and walks have been roughly the same as the post-Gagner pitching staff has been.

MidSeason Pitcher of the YEAR: Will Ball - CONFERENCE STATS: Even though Will has only pitched in 3 games (starting 2), he has been the Bandits most effective pitcher. 17 1/3 IP, 1-1, 1.56 ERA, .164OP BA, 1.27WHIP, 15K, 11BB.

FIELDING:

The Bandits fielding has been close to previous years in the matter of fielding percentages, .930 in 2010, .932 in 2009, .927 in 2008. However, the Bandits are only allowing 1.4 errors per game, as compared to 1.63 in 2009, and 1.93 in 2008. The difference in Unearned Runs per game is down .5 Unearned Runs from 2009 and over 1 Unearned Run per game from 2008.

The Bandits have had some shaky performances, but for the most part, the defense has been fairly solid.

MidSeason Defensive MVP: Kyle Kahl - continually plays the hardest two spots on the field: 3B and SS - has a field % at SS of .878 which is the highest of any full-time SS the Bandits have had since 2007.

HM1: 2nd base of Roebuck, Gebhard, and Vanderplas have a fielding % of .956
HM2: The 4 outfielders with the most innings (Lindholm. Chelberg, Ball, and VanderPlas) are as of now 1.000 in conference play.

In Summary:

The Bandits need to hit the ball as they did up to the New Richmond game
The pitching needs to figure itself out, and not have disasters like Hudson, RF, and Ellsworth
The defense needs to continually improve and get to or below an error per game, and be alert to game situations.

Current SCVBL Standings SCVBL PREDICTIONS
River Falls 6-1 RIVER FALLS 12-4
Menomonie 5-3 Menomonie 9-7
Hudson 5-3 New Richmond 9-7
Osceola 5-3 Hudson 7-9
New Richmond 3-3 Osceola 7-9
St. Croix 2-6 SCRB 6-10
Ellsworth 8-2 ELLSWORTH 12-4
Plum City 6-4 Plum City 10-6
Prescott 5-4 Prescott 10-6
Elmwood 5-7 Elmwood 6-10
Hager City 1-7 Hager City 2-14
Bay City 1-9 Bay City 2-14

Game Recap - Fish Blow Floundering Bandits out of the Water

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-6, 4-10) suffered their 4th consecutive defeat after traveling short-handed to division leader River Falls (6-1, 14-7) on Saturday afternoon. The Bandits ended up getting 10-runned, in a game that was close until the last two innings of the game.

Starting pitcher Jim Rochford gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning and another in the bottom of the 3rd to give the Fish a 4-0 lead.

The Bandits offense could not get jump started, managing only 3 hits and only 5 base runners all day.

The Bandits imploded in the 8th inning, trailing 5-0, the Bandits gave up 5 more runs to end the game.

General Manager Jim Rochford offered some thoughts after the game. "Its been a real disappointing week for us, we have gotten so much better over the last year but our record really doesn't reflect it now. We just lack consistancy, we need to get our butts in gear and start winning some games."

***NOTES***

Game Balls

1. Sorry fellas...they all went to River Falls

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day:
To all Nine guys who made it especially Niehaus and Wampfler, so we could make this game happen.

WOW Play of the Day: Jim Rochford making it home alive after suffering heat stroke, dehydration, and narcolepsy. Between Roberts and Dresser I thought he was a goner.

Next game is out last NON-conference game, at Chisago Wednesday Evening at 7:30pm.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Game Recap - Bandits Blowout Menomonie Amidst Thunder and Lightning

The St. Croix River Bandits shocked the world with their 13-0 defeat of the Menomonie Eagles Friday night while the lighting lit up the skies.

Things started getting harry during pre-game warmups but the teams decided to play through. The Bandits began the first inning with back to back home runs by lead off hitter and pitcher Jim Rochford and third baseman Kyle Kahl.

The Bandits continued to pour it on, getting three consecutive infield hits. By this time the rain was coming down like a mountain avalanche making the ball all but impossible to see. Steve Siqueiros came to bat with the bases loaded and no outs, and was swinging for the fences. Siqueiros topped the ball driving it straight into the ground below. However, with the mounting standing water in the infield, the Eagles could not find the ball Siqueiros hit. The Bandits baserunners continued sprinting around the bases, as all Eagles infielders frantically searched for the missing ball. Siqueiros ended up rounding third just as Eagles third baseman Tanner Vavra found the ball and flipped it home to the catcher to nab Siqueiros. Siqueiros lowered his shoulder and flattened the catcher, the umpire, and a small family of squirrels that happened to be fording across what was now a giant lake around home plate. Siqueiros scored, giving himself the Bandits 2nd infield Grand Slam of the season.

The next batter, Scott Lindholm fouled his first pitch straight back, knocking out four lights behind the field, darkening the field to his advantage. Coach Jim Rochford then gave 40 straight "take a pitch" signs, and sure enough - the backup umpire could not see the incoming pitch and called 40 straight balls. An unfortunate incident occured between ball 16 and 17. As Adam Lewis, who had walked with ball 12, was advancing from 1st to 2nd base - he was struck by lightning, and lay twitching on the ground. The Eagles were able to easily pick him off for the 1st out of the inning.

With the bases loaded and 1 out, and the Bandits up 13-0, what was once a baseball game, looked more like a water polo match. Gus Koecher, hit what would have been an infield single, but Koecher just could not swim to 1st base in time to beat the throw. Trevor Todd declined to take the next at bat, for fear that he would get caught in the undertow and the Bandits suffered their third out of the inning.

Unfortunately as the Eagles were coming to bat, they were all rescued by a Naval ship, promptly ending the game after. The Bandits declared victory after only a half an inning of play.

***NOTES***

Game Balls:

1. Everyone who showed up

WOW Play of the Day: A certain un-named Bandit running in his skimps and cleats from the dugout to the foul pole and back, showed the entire town of Menomonie great honor and shame, all in the span of 90 seconds.

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: To the Potato Ole, you should have your own food group dedicated in your name, or atleast a hospital wing. Who wouldn't want to be recovering in the Potato Ole Ward?

Things Heard Around the Diamond:

He thinks we're dumb, cause he's dumb. But we aren't dumb, we know what's going on

He ordering girls from Cleveland... --is that even legal?

Um, yeah...but no cameras

Is it ok if I put my cheeks are up against your seat? --as long as they aren't in my face

Don't Look at ME!!!!!!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Game Recap - Bandits get the hits, but can't get the runs vs. Millers.

The St. Croix River Bandits (4-9, 2-5) just cannot seem to put a whole game together this past week. The Bandits dropped their third conference game in a row, Wednesday night at the hands of the New Richmond Millers (3-3. 6-8) by the score of 3-0.

The Bandits out hit the Millers eight to seven, and had the bases loaded in the 2nd and 3rd innings, and runners in scoring position in 4th through 6th inning, but could not punch a run across.

Millers pitcher Hayden Zimmerman collected a whopping 16 strikeouts and walked only 2 in the complete game victory. Whenever the Bandits threatened, Zimmerman shut the door with a strikeout, or two.

Bandits starter Will Ball pitched a strong game in his second conference start of the season. Ball didn't allow a hit until the 4th inning, but started to run into trouble in the bottom of the 6th. Ball walked Tony Amundson with one out, and John Will laid down a beautiful bunt down the first base line. Ball fielded the bunt, and had to throw from his knees to try to get the speedy John Will. Ball's throw to first hit the ground right at firstbaseman Trevor Todd's feet, and skitted away. The runners were able to advance to third and second base. The next batter, Hayden Zimmerman, smacked his only hit of the day, a line drive single to center, scoring both runners. The Millers added a third run in the bottom of the seventh for a 3-0 lead that would stand for the rest of the game.

"Another tough loss for the Bandits, we have been in contention for every single conference game except for one this year. We just have to start pulling these games out. Today we had a great pitching performance again by Will Ball, we fielded the ball well, we hit the ball in the first six innings, but we just could not come up with a hit when it mattered the most. It's disappointing that we have dropped to 2-5 in conference, but we are playing the best ball that our team has played in its 4-year existence, I know the wins will come, its just a matter of time if we can continue to play like this," said general manager Jim Rochford after the loss.

***NOTES***

Game Balls

1. Will Ball 7IP, 7H, 6K, 2BB, 3R, 2ER - great presence on the mound, great tempo to the game

2. Adam Lewis, 2-3 on the day, reached base all 4 times up (on error and walk), pitched a scoreless 8th ining.

3. Kyle Kahl, 2-4, hit with guys on base, 1 assist and 2 putouts on the day

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game:

Solid defense on the day by the Bandits, only 1 unfortunate error, leading to 1 unearned run, but other than that it was a solid performance by the infield including catcher Steve Siqueiros behind the plate (at least when refering to getting to wild pitches and throwing out baserunners).

WOW play of the Day:

Michael Chelberg's climbing the foul chain link fence wall to make a unbelievable running and crashing catch to claim the 2nd out of the 4th inning with a runner on 2nd base.

Things Heard Around the Diamond:

I apologize, but if I don't write these things down I tend to forget them.....

Players Mising in Action (from their prospective)

Nick Johnson - Sorry, I was busy showing off my skills at a basebal showcase

Gus Koecher - I can't believe my dad made me work!

Tim Wampfler - I had to like, move my truck, because, like, it's dying....or something

Curtis Roebuck - Yeah, so...I have to to work now...excuse me!

Ben Niehaus - Maybe someone should call me so I know when I am supposed to be playing

Jeff Johnson - I remember when I used to play baseball, they called me Plow, because I could hit so many home runs. You listen here kiddie, when I was your age......

Ben Anderson - Guys why did you tell me the game is in Chetek, I'm all the way out here, and I don't see you anywhere!

Brian Jacobson - Well, I just got done throwing about 498 pitches to my 7th and 8th grade team, my feet are killin' me, and if you're going to pull this &*^% at least you could've said you were from the Yankees.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Game Recap - Rochford sinks Bandits in Blown Save vs the River Rats

Quick recap - The St. Croix River Bandits (4-8, 2-4) hit the stitches out of the ball Sunday afternoon, but still couldn't get the victory vs. the Hudson River Rats (4-2).

The River Rats jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead after the first inning. Defensive miscommunication and dink-a-doo hits gave the Rats a big early lead.

Scott Lindholm hit his first ever home run in the top of the 2nd inning on the first pitch he saw. Lindholm's home run galvanized the Bandits team, who scored another run in the inning to make it 5-3.

The Bandits took the lead, putting up 3 runs in the top of the 4th inning - scoring 2 runs on passed balls, and another on a River Rat error.

The Rats regained the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, with 3 hits, scoring 2 runs, making the score 7-6 Rats.

The Bandits ping-pong-ed the score back in their favor in the top of the 7th inning with a sacrifice fly from Michael Chelberg and an RBI double by Matt Vold. Score Bandits 8 Rats 7.

Going into the 8th inning, starting pitcher Trevor Todd was gassed, having thrown 130+ pitches. Bandits brought in relieve Jim Rochford who defined the term: struggled. Rochford walked the 9-hole batter, and got lead-off Mitch Lewis at first base on a sacrifice bunt. Rochford then walked the next two batters, loading the bases. Jason Bast hit a deep sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at 8 apiece. Rochford walked the next batter, loading the bases again. Rochford decided to go windup with 2 outs. Before his first pitch, River Rat, Andy LaBrosse attempted to steal home. Rochford stepped off and threw home for the third out of the inning---except a balk was called, and the runner was awarded home plate. Rochford's next pitch was a solid single to left field, scoring two more runner. Rochford then walked his fourth batter, before the Bandits smartly brought in Adam Lewis in Rochford's stead. Lewis was able to get the final out of the inning with no further damage done. Rats now led by 3, score 11-8.

The Bandits threatened in the top of the 9th inning. Chelberg, Vold, and Gus Koecher managed consecutive 1-out singles off of Hudson reliever Brian Sparstad. Sparstad was able to leave the bases loaded with no damage, getting the next two batters and picking up the save.

***NOTES***

Box Scores Here

GAMEBALLS

1. BANDITS TEAM OFFENSE: 15 hits, 8 runs, only 4ks

2. Matt Vold: 3-5, R, 2B, 2RBI

3. Scott Lindholm: 1-4, HR, RBI, Lifted the team up after letting up 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning.

UNHERALDED HERO(ES) of the GAME: Trevor Todd - the guy pitched a good game and was the unfortunate butt of some team's defensive miscues. All of Todd's runs were earned, but only because there is no statistic for team error.

WOW Play of the GAME: Scott Lindholm's 1st pitch - knew it was gone off of the crack of the bat- HR. This has been 4 years in the making, everyone has put in their blood, sweat, and tears into this and the result was everything we'd hoped it would be.

PLAYERS MISSING IN ACTION:
Brian Jacobson - coaching up the little kids
Curtis Roebuck - ditto
Tim Wampfler - dating horses
Nick Johnson - baseball camp (no we didn't send him to the minors)
Cory Gebhard - working for the enemy
Jeff Johnson - its father's day and this guy had lots of kids to go see.....lots...
Will Ball - couldn't find his way
Ben Niehaus - I wonder if anyone called him??

Next Game Weds @ New Rich 7:30

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Game Preview - Sunday 6/20/10 @ Hudson 1pm.

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-3, 4-7) hope to claw their way back to .500 in conference as they begin a week of four away games, starting at Hudson (3-2, 7-9) on Sunday. The Bandits are 1-3 lifetime versus the River Rats, having been outscored 37 to 11 in those four games. However, the last time these two teams met, the River Rats were riding a 10 game winning streak when they came into St. Croix Falls and were stunned by a score of 8-6.

The Bandits hope to recapture that magic on Sunday afternoon, and will be sending Trevor Todd to the mound. Todd has a 2-4 record this season with an ERA of 3.71. The Bandits will have the lineup intact that took down the River Rat team last season except it will be replacing 3 hitters that went a combined 2-11 in the game with fantasy baseball stud Michael VanderPlas (batting at a clip of .341), Deep Power threat Adam Lewis, and (hopefully) rookie Cory Gebhard.

Projected Bandits Lineup

Michael Chelberg 3B
Matt Vold SS
Gus Koecher CF
Michael VanderPlas LF
Steve Siqueiros C
Scott Lindholm RF
Adam Lewis DH
Kyle Kahl 1B
Cory Gebhard 2B

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Game Recap - Bandits Suffer Heartbreaker at Hands of Ellingson, Braves.

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-3, 4-7) suffered a tough loss at the hand of the Osceola Braves Sunday at home by the score of 5-4. There was a good crowd on-hand, as there usually is for the Braves-Bandits games, and they were treated to a great day of baseball in St. Croix Falls.

Trevor Todd started on the hill for the Bandits and buzzed through the first three innings of play. Todd didn't allow a hit until the third inning when Taylor Germaine slapped a one-out single to right field. However, one pitch later Todd picked Germaine off of first base before Germaine even took a step back to the bag.

Ross Benitz was the starting pitcher for the Braves and was getting into deep counts with many batters early in the game. Although the Bandits didn't score in the first two innings, Benitz had thrown a whopping 48 pitches. The Bandits took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Bandits rookie and SCF high school senior Nick Johnson showed the why he is such a valuable asset to the team, by scoring the run nearly by himself. Johnson led off the inning with an infield single, which was fielded by Braves' shortstop Dave Measner. Measner threw the ball over to first base, but not only was it not in time - it was not on the mark, skidding past first baseman Steve Papke, allowing Johnson to reach second. Michael Chelberg then sacrifice bunted Johnson over to third base. Johnson scored on a passed ball by Braves' catcher Taylor Germaine, giving the Bandits the early 1-0 lead.

The Braves threatened in the top of the fourth inning. Benitz singled to lead off the inning, and then reached second base on a passed ball. However, Trevor Todd was able to work his magic again, and picked Benitz off of second base for the first out of the inning. Todd allowed consecutive singles to Measner and Ryan Rybicki. Jason Ellingson then popped out for the second out, and Droher walked to load the bases for Chris Kopp. On the second pitch of the at bat, Todd threw a wild pitch and Measner broke home to score and tie the game from third base. Bandits catcher Steve Siquieros was able to quickly recover the loose ball and flip it back to Todd who came in the cover home plate. Todd got the tag on Measner as he slid into home plate for the third and final out of the inning.

The next action came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Recent SCF high school graduate Matt Vold singled, and promptly stole second base. Bandits catcher Steve Siqueiros came to the plate with two outs and Vold still standing out at second base. Siqueiros smacked an 0-1 fastball to center field for a single, scoring Vold. Siqueiros, subsequently, was able to take second base on the play, as the center fielder threw home, over the cutoff, allowing Siqueiros to advance a base. The Bandits were able to take advantage of the miscue when Adam Lewis hit a soft grounder up the middle on the shortstop's side. Measner was able to scoop up the ball, but threw errant to first base. This allowed Siqueiros to score, and gave the Bandits a 3-0 edge after five innings.

In the sixth inning, the Braves started seeing Trevor Todd, real well. Todd had allowed only four hits up to this point in the game, but in the sixth the bats came alive for the Braves. Leadoff hitter Trent Fehlen hit a single, but was forced out at second base for the first out of the inning off a Benitz fielder's choice. Measner singled, and Rybicki continued his good day at the plate, hitting a double to right center field, scoring Benitz from second base, and cutting the lead to 3-1. The next batter, Jason Ellingson was 0-2 on the day, and was up 2-0 in the count before making two terrible cuts at the ball and evening the count to 2-2. The next swing Ellingson made, changed the course of the game. Ellingson hit a towering fly ball, deep to left field, clearing the fence for a three run home run, and the Braves took the lead 4-3.

The Bandits tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Michael VanderPlas hit a 2-out double to left center field. Siquieros followed that up with his 3rd hit of the day, an RBI single to left field.

The eighth inning saw the Braves retake the lead. After striking out Ellingson to lead off the inning, Todd allowed three consecutive hits to Pete Droher, Chris Kopp, and Steve Papke. Papke's single scored Droher from second base. Todd was able to settle down and retire the next two batters.

While the Bandits didn't threaten in the eighth inning with Benitz nearly hitting 150 pitches for the day, when the Braves brought in Somerset High School's Jared Dettmann, for the save in the ninth inning, they certainly did. The bottom of the ninth started with a 10-pitch battled between seniors Jared Dettmann and Nick Johnson. Dettmann got ahead in the count early, but Johnson continued being patient working the count to full. Johnson fouled off four would be strikes before drawing a walk, putting the tying run at first base. Chelberg came to the plate, ready to bunt Johnson over, but couldn't get the job done - fouling off the first two pitches with bunt attempts. Johnson then stole second base on the next pitch. Chelberg was able to get to a full count, and after fouling off a pitch he was walked by Dettmann. Dettmann was then able to strikeout Matt Vold for the first out of the inning. Dettmann got ahead of the next batter, Michael VanderPlas, but then again struggled with his control walking his third batter of the inning. With the walk, the Bandits had the tying run 90 feet from the plate, and the winning run on second base. Steve Siqueiros came to plate, already with three hits on the day with one goal - get the ball to the outfield. Siqueiros hacked at the first pitch he saw, a fastball down the zone, but just got under it, popping it up just behind second base, where it was caught for the second out. The Bandits called upon coach-player Brian Jacobson to pinch hit for Adam Lewis. Jacobson cut and missed on the first offering by Dettmann, and got just on top of the next pitch he saw, dribbling it out in front of the pitcher. Dettman fielded the ball and his throw was true, getting the third and last out of the inning, and getting himself out of his own jam.

The Bandits drop to 2-3 in conference but have a whopping four conference games between June 20th and June 26th vs. Hudson, New Richmond, Menomonie, and River Falls - all on the road. It was a tough loss for the Bandits who had every chance to win the game from the first pitch to the last ball put in play. General Manager Jim Rochford had this to offer after the game. "Its going to be a tough next week for our team, we have four conference games coming up. Last year I would have been ecstatic if we went 2-2 over this stretch coming up, but I really would like to see us win the next three of four, but two wins is a must if we want to stay in the playoff hunt, and I think this team is good enough to do that. We aren't going to see Ross Benitzes every game we play, he is a great pitcher, great competitor and pitched one heck of a game. Same with (Trevor) Todd, those two guys combined threw for just under 300 pitches. Our defense did a solid job today with those young kids manning the infield. Our average infield age in the last week has dropped from 24.5 to 19.5 with the emergence of these former high school athletes. We only had seven hits today, but we put the ball in play, put pressure on their defense, and was patient at the plate. Hats off to Jason Ellingson, the guy goes 1-5 on the day, but it always seems that when it matters the most, he just kills us, and he certainly did today. All in all, a very tough and bitter loss, but I can safely say, that the days of the Braves beating the Bandits by 10 to 15 runs is over.

***NOTES***

Boxscores Here

Game Balls

1. Steve Siqueiros: 3-5, R, 2B, 2RBI, 1 tore open fingernail, 2 Caught Stealing, 1 nice base running mistake

2. Trevor Todd: 148 pitches, 9IP, 5ER, 3 pickoffs - the bases are unsafe for you runners...beware!!

3. Nick Johnson: 1-3, R, 2SB, 2BB, manufactured his own run, 90 feet from tying the game, 4 putouts, 4 assists, 1 error.

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: To 1) Brian Jacobson for his dedication to field preparation, Jake, I hope that you are reading this because we all appreciate the time and effort that you put in on the field before any of us get there, and sometimes well after all of us leave. Thanks. and 2) To all the fans that came out today, thanks! 3) For Braves fans its Dave Leske, this guy had our team scouted like he was some sort of pro advance scout.

WOW play of the Day: Okay, so lets pretend that Ellingson's HR isn't it...just pretend.., Trevor's accumulation of pickoffs isn't really just one play, and neither is Kyle Kahl's antics with the Braves roster. Lets go with Trevor Todd's "intentional" wild pitch that led Dave Measner to believe he could score from 3rd base, only to find out that Bandit's catcher Steve Siqueiros was in on the play too. Siqueiros rushed to the ball, and flipped it over to Todd for the third out in the inning. This play was key because it was still early in the game, the bases were loaded (albeit two outs) but the count to Chris Kopp would have gone to 2-0, after Trevor Todd had walked Pete Droher on four straight pitches.

Things Heard Around the Diamond:

"I like drawing with red because I like drawing bloody noses"

"The Ball was DEAD!" -hushed response- "You're Dead"

Pickoff #1 after runner not even attempting to make it back to the bag- "He got me, I just don't even know what else to say"

Same kid after attempted pickoff at 2nd base, first base coach "What's he doing out there." runner on first base response- "I don't think he's ever been on base before."

"Is the game on now, oh wait no its not....now?!?"

"Why are you asking the only guy who doesn't hit about how Benitz's pitches are moving?"

"Why don't you earhole me NOW!?"

-as a side note, this was an amazingly colorful game, I wish that I could remember half of what was said.

Players Missing in Action

Curtis Roebuck - working
Ben Anderson - working...i think
Tim Wampfler - working...i think...if you can really call that work
Jeff Johnson - working...i think...if you can really call that work...okay, never mind you were just sleeping...and speaking of....
Gus Koecher - you broke my heart.....

NEXT GAME: SUNDAY JUNE 20th @ HUDSON. T. Todd on the Hill. (unless we schedule some weekday game to play Siren - I'll keep you posted...)

Game Recap - Bandits pullout victory vs. Expos, 6-4.

The St. Croix River Bandits (2-2, 4-6) pulled their conference record back to .500 with a 6-4 victory over the Elmwood Expos (3-6) Saturday at SCF. While rain was an issue, the field management crew decided against playing with the roof overhead, so we played in the elements.

The Bandits took an early lead in the first inning when Bandit's rookie, just recently anointed high school senior, and bonafide football stud, Nick Johnson reached base on an error. Michael VanderPlas singled, and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Steve Siqueiros hit a fly ball to center field with one out, far enough, for Johnson to tag and score easily from third base. Bandits up after 1, 1-0.

The Expos came back with runs of their own in the top of the 2nd inning, taking advantage of a couple errors and a bloop hit. There were two outs in the inning, and Will Ball had walked two batters in between. Expos DH Derrick Bechel hit a soft liner over the head of second baseman, and Bandits rookie, Cory Gebhard to tie the game. The next batter, Mitch Baier, grounded softly to Gebhard at 2nd base, but Gebhard rushed the throw and put it in the dirt. First baseman Jeff Johnson was not able to dig it out, and Justin Hultman scored from 2nd base. Bechel scored when Johnson attempted to gun him down trying to take third base on that same play. The ball skipped before and past third base, giving the Expos a 3-1 lead. The Bandits were able to get out of the inning after an Adam Churchill single put runners on 1st and 3rd. Churchill attempted to steal 2nd base, Bandits catcher Steve Siquieros threw the ball down, but it was cut off by 2B Cory Gebhard. Gebhard saw Baier break for home plate and made a spot on throw back to Siqueiros. Baier tried to blow Siqueiros up at the plate, but its hard to move that rock, and the Expos made their third out of the inning.

The Bandits scored in the bottom of the 2nd. Jeff Johnson reached base via error, and was moved around the bases with two wild pitches. Gebhard scored Johnson with a 1-out ground out to third base. The Expos got that run back in the 4th. A walk, an error and a walk loaded the bases with only one out and the Expos top of the order due up. But the Expos had to settled for an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, as a flyout to center field ended the threat and the inning.

After the 5th inning, Will Ball was lights out, to this point he had given up only three hits but he had walked six. Ball had allowed four runs, but only one of them was earned. The last four innings of the game a switch turned and Ball found his groove. After five, Ball allowed no hits, one walk, and struck out four, facing only one batter over the minimum.

The Bandits would chip away at the Expos lead for the remainder of the game. They got another run back in the 6th inning. Scott Lindholm led off with a single, and was advanced over to third base via walk to Kyle Kahl and bunt/ground-out from Gebhard. Lindholm scored on the Bandits 2nd sacrifice fly of the day, this time off the bat of Michael Chelberg, cutting the lead to 4-3.

The Bandits were back at it next inning. The Expos brought in relief pitcher Jared Wood, and the Bandits saw him well. VanderPlas and Siqueiros started the inning off with walks, and were balked over by pitcher Wood, after he neglected to come set in his stretch delivery. After Brian Jacobson popped out to third base, first baseman Jeff Johnson hit an RBI single to score VanderPlas and tie the game. The Bandits could not capitalize on 1st and 3rd with one out and left the inning tied at four a piece.

The Bandits captured victory in the bottom of the 8th inning. Gebhard walked and Chelberg followed with a single. Nick Johnson sac bunted the runners over for the first out. Michael VanderPlas the hit a first pitch line drive double to left center, scoring both Gebhard and Chelberg, giving the Bandits a 6-4 lead and win.

"It was a good hard fought game today," stated Bandits GM Jim Rochford. "Will Ball pitched a great game, especially after he settled down and was dealing strikes. We dug ourselves into a hole early, but we climbed out...just in time. We put six runs up on the board today but we didn't hit the snot out of the ball, probably just six or seven hits, and we still left a bunch of guys hanging on 2nd and 3rd. That is something we are going to have to work on as the season progresses - getting singles when guys are on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Good game today - much better than last week's aberration."

***NOTES***

Box Scores found here

Game Balls

1. Will Ball - Win, 9IP, 3H, 4R, 1ER, 7BB, 9K

2. Michael VanderPlas - 2-4, R, 2B, BB, 2RBI

3 (tie). Michael Chelberg - 1-3, R, BB, SAC FLY RBI, SB - sliding catch
Steve Siqueiros - 1-3, SAC FLY RBI, - 2 caught stealing and rocking behind the plate

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game: To Light Drizzle, thank you for not becoming All-Out
Rain, we needed time to win, thanks for letting us have it.

Things Heard Around the Diamond:

After the first inning, -Only 18 outs left to go

Yeah, the wedding isn't until 5pm, so I was like, I can still play...

I'm glad I didn't bring my daughter to this game

You're here early than I thought, did you skip a section of your ACT -response- I probably would have done better if I did.

Players Missing in Action
Adam Lewis - promises he'll be there tomorrow
Gus Koecher - is on the 15 disabled list, scheduled to come off tomorrow, Bandits ponder waiving Jack Werner and designating him for assignment.
Matt Vold - is breaking my 1st rule of travel - Never drive anywhere over an hour where you will spend LESS time at your location than the time it takes to get there and back.
Tim Wampfler - is breaking in some mares...then is going to ride some horses after that
Curtis Roebuck - is busy making bank
Trevor Todd - is hopefully going to wake up at 4:30am tomorrow morning so he can drive back for the game that he is pitching. Let's also hope that he is staying sober and alert..

GAMEDAY: Tomorrow, Sunday June 13th vs Osceola 1pm at SCF.

Game Recap - Hubbers Hammer Bandits

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-2, 3-6) were defeated in every facet of the game on Sunday afternoon in SCF by the Ellsworth Hubbers (4-2) and lost by the score of 11-1. Mitch Johnson had a stellar performance on the mound for the Hubbers, giving up only two hits and one run through nine innings of work. The Bandits lone run came in the bottom of the 3rd inning, and even that inning was somewhat disappointing. Johnson started the inning by walking both Bandits rookie Ben Niehaus and Kyle Kahl. Will Ball hit a 1-1 fastball up the middle, but it was just slow enough that Hubber's shortstop Lance Hove was able to field it and turn a double play, instead of it being an RBI single to center field. Niehaus, now at 3rd base, scored on a Michael Chelberg flare single to left field.

The Bandits pitching tandem of Trevor Todd and Jim Rochford struggled, and the Hubbers hitters took advantage. The two combined for six walks over nine innings, and let up an astounding eighteen hits. The Hubbers had four batters that ended the game with three hits. The Bandits defense didn't help. The Bandits committed five errors in the first four innings of the game, and while those errors only amounted to two unearned runs, it sure looked bad.

The Bandits hope to recover, in what was easily there worst performance of the season next Saturday versus the Elmwood Expos. Jim Rochford stated, "Everything that could go wrong for us today, pretty much went wrong. Ellsworth is a good, well put together team, but they aren't 10 runs better than we are. We have got to put a better effort out there next weekend, because we just looked dead. You aren't going to win any games when you have two hits, five errors, and can't throw first pitch strikes. Hopefully, this game's result was an aberration that we won't see again...ever.

***NOTES***

Box scores can be found here

Game Balls

1. Michael Chelberg - you and Trev may have had some pick off miscues, but you went 1-4, and drove in the only run of the game for the Banditos.

2. Scott Lindholm - you went 1-4 with a double, unfortunately it was with two outs and we were down by six.

3. Ben Niehaus - you went 0-2 with 2K and a walk, but that walk turned into the only run the Bandits score all day....so congrats..

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: Thanks to Laura and Alicia for running the food stand, and a great crowd turnout for the spanking we received. It felt like when your parents would reprimand you at a family function and yell at you in front of everyone. We promise we'll be better, we promise!!...... Chelberg knows what I'm talking about...

WOW Play of the Day: How about Hubber's Jeremiah "Left-Handed-Kevin-Youkilis" Paulson's moonshot home run to center field off Trevor Todd, or his even harder hit double down the line in right field off Jim Rochford that nearly killed first baseman at the time Trevor Todd.

Things Heard Around the Diamond:

Are all you guys drunk or something

You will never see a guy swing harder in your life

What is Michael saying out there: I never know: He is just constantly moving... : That's his thing.

Players Missing in Action:
HS'ers of America - still working on the American Dream.
Adam Lewis - still working at becoming the first guy that works 160 hours during a given week.
Jeff Johnson - still working at avoiding us at all costs.

Next week's games are:

Saturday, 1pm vs. Elmwood at SCF
Sunday, 1pm vs. Osceola at SCF

Friday, June 4, 2010

Game Preview - 6/6 vs. Ellsworth

The St. Croix River Bandits (1-1, 3-5) will begin the bulk of their conference play Sunday vs. the Ellsworth Hubbers (3-1, 4-4). The Hubbers are 2-0 lifetime vs the Bandits, but are traveling up to St. Croix Falls for the first time for Sunday's game.

The Hubbers finished the season 9-7 in 2009, making the wBA playoffs. The Hubbers lost in the first round 8-7 in 11 innings to the Haugen Knights. The Hubbers look like they are back in prime action already defeating Hager City, Elmwood, and New Richmond by a combined score of 24-7, with their lone conference loss coming at the hands of perenial powerhouse, the Prescott Pirates.

The Bandits hope to break out of the middle of the pack in the SCVBL North standings, currently sitting tied for third with Hudson with a record of 1-1. The Bandits will have to bring their A-game as they are still without Matt Vold, Gus Koecher, Cory Gebard, and Ben Anderson who have advanced to the HS Sectionals which will be held at Prescott on Tuesday, June 8th.

Tentative Starting Lineup for the SC River Bandits

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

who are we DHing for.....I don't know yet, lets up Lewis can make itand Jacobson is healthy otherwise this will be all jacked up.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Game Recap - Tale of Two Teams earns Bandits a Weekend Split.

The St. Croix River Bandits (3-5, 1-1) split games two 7-inning games with the St. Paul Mudhens (6-8) on Saturday afternoon. Jim Rochford started game one on the mound for the Bandits. The Mudhens struck right away in the first inning. Rochford walked the leadoff batter Peter Baldwin, who promptly stole 2nd base. Baldwin was able to move to 3rd base on a groundout. With one out, three-hole hitter, Austin Krohn, unexpectedly laid down a suicide squeeze. The ball bounced down between the mound and home plate. Rochford attempted to flip the ball to catcher Brian Jacobson with his glove, but the ball zipped over Jacobson's head, turning a sure-out at home into the Mudhen's first run. The Mudhens would get two two-out singles to score Krohn, and take a 2-0 lead. The Mudhens tacked on single runs in the 3rd and the 4th inning.

The Bandits offense in game one was baffled by Mudhens starting pitcher Josh Funk. Funk, a lefty freshman who pitches for Gustavus Adolphus College, wasn't a power pitcher, but had strong command and movement of his breaking pitches. The Bandits managed only three hits in the game, with their lone run coming off of an Adam Lewis sacrifice fly to centerfield in the 4th inning. Funk allowed only one more baserunner the rest of the game, defeating the Bandits 4-1.

After game one the Bandits regrouped. They changed from their old-school black jerseys/black caps to the new and fresh white jerseys and red caps. Apparantly, it made all the difference.

Trevor Todd was the starting Bandits pitcher for game two, and it took him only eight pitches, to retire the first three Mudhen batters. The Bandits jumped on the board first. Michael Chelberg walked, and Mike VanderPlas hit a 1-out double to left-centerfield. Brian Jacobson was able to smack a 2-out single to the outfield, scoring Chelberg and VanderPlas, giving the Bandits a 2-0 lead.

The Bandits scored another run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, when Scott Lindholm singled in Kyl Kahl from second base with two outs. The Bandits broke the game open in the 3rd inning with 5 hits, leading to 4 more runs. Again, clutch hitting was the difference, as Will Ball's 2-RBI single and Chelberg 2-RBI triple came with two outs.

The Bandits offensive explosion continued in the bottom of the 4th inning when Tim Wampfler doubled in Steve Siqueiros from first base, giving the Bandits a 8-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Trevor Todd was lights out on the mound. Todd did not allow a hit until the 4th inning, which turned into a double play on the very next pitch. Todd struck out six batters and walked none, allowing only the one hit.

The Bandits ended the game in the bottom of the 5th inning, invoking the 10-run rule. The Bandits scored three more runs off of four consecutive hits, culminating with VanderPlas's 2-run double and a Siqueiros sacrifice fly ball to score the last run.

In the post game press conference pitcher Jim Rochford has this to say. "The first game was a tough one. Funk had our batters off balance, his slider was dipping and diving in and out of the strike zone. All hats off to him, he mixed up his pitches real well. We could have fielded the ball a little better in game one and our pitchers need to do a better job of holding baserunners on first base. As for game 2, its really all positive. We had fifteen hits, five for extra bases, had great clutch hitting, stellar pitching, and good defense. We pulled it together and played a solid game."

If the Bandits have hopes of clinching their first ever playoff berth, they best hope the they play more game 2's than game 1's.

***NOTES***

Game One Boxscore can be found Here
Game Two Boxscore can be found Here

Game Balls

1. Michael Chelberg: 3-5, 2R, 2RBI, 3B, 2BB

2. Steve Siqueiros: 3-6, 3R, 2B, RBI

3. Trevor Todd: sure he only went 1-6 at the plate but 5IP, 1H, 6K, 0BB, 0R is good enough

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: Concessioneers and Deer Lake, maybe a combo of the two.

WOW Play of the Day: There was a VanderPlas - flying out of nowhere in right field catch in the first game. But there was no other play too out of the ordinary, so the award goes to the five extra base hits by Chelberg, VanderPlas (x2), Siqueiros, and Wampfler in game two, which is tied for most Bandits XBH in a single game.

Things heard on and off the Diamond:

Hey, how long have you been standing here -1 Bandit's 3rd base coach to another

Oh, I left my phone in Trevor's cooler....

I see that even when you are in a canoe you aren't working.

Players Missing in Action:

HS Posse - getting ready for Somerset on Tuesday, go Saints (Saints won 3-2...pow!)
Jeff Johnson - lost in translation

Next game is Sunday vs. Ellsworth at SCF 1pm.

Game Recap - Ham Lake's Big 1st inning crush Bandits

Quick Review - The St. Croix River Bandits (2-4, 1-1) lost 12-4 against the Ham Lake Freeze, Sunday May 20th. The Bandits spanked out 11 hits, but only managed 4 runs. The Freeze took advantage of five first inning walks, and put 8 runs on the board in the first inning. The Bandits hope to regain their competitive ways next Saturday versus the St. Paul Mudhens in a double header at St. Croix Falls.

Players Missing in Action
just about everyone.....