Game Recap: Osceola Downs Bandits 7 - 4

Okay, so I'm back from sabbatical to recap the last near month's worth of games. On July 7th the Bandits took on the Osceola Braves in Osceola. Trevor Todd started on the mound for the Bandits, his 2nd start against the Braves in the 2010 season.

The Braves started off strong, loading the bases in the bottom of the first inning with only one out. Todd was able to wriggle out of the jam with a strikeout and a force out a third base. However, the Bandits would not be so lucky in the bottom of the second inning. Todd issued a leadoff walk, followed by a sac bunt, and a hit batsman. Braves CF Pete Droher hit a scorching line drive double to the right center gap, scoring two. Trent Fehlin singled in Droher on the next pitch giving the Braves an early 3-0 lead.

The Braves notched another run in the bottom of the third inning. Ross Benitz singled and was moved over to second base on a passed ball. Chris Kopp hit a one-out RBI single to drive in the run.

The Bandits had baserunners in each of the first four innings, but hit into two doubleplays, and failed to get a man past second base.

The Bandits scored their first two runs of the game in the top of the sixth inning, with a little help of the Braves pitching and defensive staff. Kyle Kahl led the inning off with a four pitch walk. Two strikeouts later, Michael Chelberg was able to draw a walk with a full count, putting runners at first and second base. Matt Vold then singled to right field. Braves RF Ryan Rybicki threw a bullet to the plate and catcher Ryan Rugg tried to tag Kahl out as he was charging home. There was a major collision at the plate, Kahl was in safely to score the Bandits first run, but Rugg was still down. After a couple of minutes of attention, Rugg was able to regain himself, and continued on, to the relief of everyone involved. The Bandits scored again when Gus Koecher grounded to shortstop Dave Measner. Measner was unable to field the ball, allowing Koecher to get to first safely and score Chelberg from 3rd base. Steve Siqueiros then popped out, with runners on first and second base, to end the threat. Braves lead 4-2.

The Bandits brought Will Ball in for Trevor Todd in the bottom of the sixth inning, after Todd walked the leadoff batter. Ball struggled immediately out of the gate. Ball walked the first batter before getting a flyball out. Ball then walked the next batter, and Ryan Rybicki hit an RBI single, scoring just one Brave, and leaving the bases loaded. Ball was able to get Ryan Rugg to ground into a 3-2-3 doubleplay to end the inning. Braves lead was now 5-2.

The Bandits staff continued to struggled with control going into the bottom of the seventh inning. Ball hit Benitz with a pitch and then walked Dakota Belter. Ball then was able to get two consecutive outs, before facing red-hot leadoff hitter Pete Droher. Droher laced the first pitch he saw for a double to left center, scoring two more Braves, giving the Braves a 7-2 lead after seven innings of play.

The Bandits tried to rally in the eighth inning Adam Lewis singled to lead off the inning. Braves starter Mark Zurbriggen was able to get Nick Johnson to ground out, and struck out Michael Chelberg. Matt Vold then walked, and Gus Koecher hit an RBI-single, scoring Lewis, and getting Vold to third base. Vold would later score on a passed ball, but that is all the Bandits would get in the eighth.

Zurbriggen was able to strike out the side in the top of the ninth inning to shut the door on the Bandits.

The Bandits were kept off balance all evening by the Braves pitching, getting only six hits which were scattered over nine innings of work. The Bandits pitching staff accuracy was off the mark issuing twelve walks. The Braves Pete Droher finished 2-4 with 2 doubles, a walk, and 4RBI. The two outs he did make were scorching line-drive flyouts to the outfield.

***NOTES***

boxscore here

GAME BALLS

1. Matt Vold: 3-3, R, BB, RBI

2. Kyle Kahl: 0-2, R, BB, HP, solid D, intense baserunning.

3. Gus Koecher: 1-4, RBI

WOW Play of the Day: The Kyle Kahl mauling of Braves catcher Ryan Rugg. The Bandits scored their first run of the game, making it a 4-1 game. The Braves and Braves fans were none to pleased with Kahl's decision to spear tackle Rugg at the plate. But in Kahl's defense, Rugg was blocking the plate, did not yet have the ball as Kahl dove, and its a completely legal play. I am glad Rugg did not get hurt, no one is looking to injure anyone else out here. Change the rules if people aren't pleased with home plate collisions, otherwise, let's play ball.

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game:
Great fan support at the Braves field, thanks for coming out and being great athletic supporters fans!

Things heard on and off the Field:

The sound of Brian Jacobson's hand crying as it was hit by a Gus Koecher MLB power line-drive

The sound of babies crying, muffled screams, and ambulance sirens as Matt Vold, once again throws a bat into the crowd in the follow through of a swing.

Players Missing In Action:
All Regulars In Attendance