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