Game Recap - Bandits take early 3-0 lead, lose 5-4 to Millers

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-4, 0-9) lost again on Sunday to the New Richmond Millers. The Millers, who are now 3-1 in conference and 6-1 overall, gave up three early runs to the Bandits in the first inning. CF Scott Lindholm started the inning by drawing a walk with the count full. After a SS Matt Vold strikeout, 1B Trevor Todd slapped a single to the outfield. 3B Kyle Kahl was hit by a 3-2 pitch, loading the bases. C Steve Siqueiros then drove a first pitch fastball to the right center field fence, clearing the bases with a double. (On a sidenote, as DH Michael Chelberg commited the last out of inning by popping up to the New Richmond catcher Matt Peterson, Siqueiros railroaded Peterson, causing Peterson to riccochet off of Siqueiros as he was completely blind-sided. Peterson would get his retribution later in the game.)

Starting pitcher Jim Rochford (0-2) had an up and down game. Rochford breezed through the first inning, got out of a jam in the 2nd thanks to a ground ball doubleplay, and finally allowed the Millers to score in the top of the third. Matt Peterson got on with a single and stole second base. CF Mike Perillo singled to center, but Peterson was only able to make it to third. The next batter, 3B Scott Emerson grounded to first base and Trevor Todd immediately threw home to catch the charging Peterson. There was a brutal collision at the plate, but catcher Siqueiros did not have enough time to apply the tag, Peterson was ruled safe.

The Millers tied the game in the 5th inning when Matt Peterson reached on an error and then Rochford walked the next two batters on 9 pitches to load the bases. 3B Scott Emerson hit a 2-2 fastball sharply to left field, scoring Peterson from third. RF Curt Kleinschmidt hit a sacrifice fly to CF Scott Lindholm, tying the game as New Richmond 2B Hayden Zimmerman crossed the plate.

The Bandits had only 1 hit between the 2nd and 4th inning, but was able to string a couple of hits together in the 5th, after the Millers had tied the game. SS Matt Vold (after being specifically instructed to hit the ball to the right field gap) hit the ball to the right field gap, Kleinschmidt attempted to cut off the ball, but it skipped past him, allowing Vold to reach third base with only 1 out. The Millers brought the infield in the keep Vold at third on a ground ball and the strategy paid off as Trevor Todd grounded the ball sharply to 2B Zimmerman, keeping Vold from scoring. Bandits clean-up hitter (which is the "musical chair" spot of the line-up) Kyle Kahl was able to take a 2-1 pitch and hit it right up the middle of the field for an RBI single, giving the Bandits a 4-3 lead.

Rochford sped through the 6th inning without any trouble, but hit a speed bump in the 7th. Closing in on 100 pitches, Rochford allowed 3 straight singles, but was able to get an out after Scott Emerson tried to strech a single to a double. Bandits CF Scott Lindholm gunned the ball to home plate trying to get Zimmerman scoring from 2nd, catcher Siqueiros saw Emerson dashing to second base and instantly threw down to second after catching the ball. Emerson was not ruled out at first (even though he was tagged), but started retreating back to the dugout (probably because he was OUT.) and then SS Matt Vold tagged him out again, getting the first out of the inning. However, Zimmerman did score, tying the game at 4 a piece. Lefty Curt Kleinschmidt then smoked a first pitch curveball down the first base line for a double, scoring Mike Perillo, and the Millers took a 5-4 lead. Rochford was able to wiggle out of the inning without any more damage done, and didn't allow any runs in the 8th. Michael Chelberg relieved Rochford in the 9th, and besides a walk, had no trouble with the Millers batters.

The Bandits threatened in the bottom of the 7th inning when Scott Lindholm reached with a 1 out single. Matt Vold then hit a solid line drive that may have been a base hit. However, the Bandits had the hit and run on and Miller's 2B Zimmerman was in the perfect spot to catch the scorched ball and double up Lindholm back at first.

After the first two batters got out for the Bandits in the 8th, Siqueiros was able to draw a walk. Michael VanderPlas was brought in the pinch hit, and smacked the first ball he saw over the third baseman's head for a single. Michael Chelberg came to the plate with two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd. Chelberg was down 0-2 when he hit a foul ball to the third base side of the field. 3B Scott Emerson came out of nowhere, dove and caught the ball, in what was the defensive play of the game. Coach/Pitcher/Whatever Jim Rochford stated, "I knew Michael was not getting on base lately, but I knew we wanted to Michael to pitch the 9th inning instead of myself, what i wasn't sure of was whether Michael could re-enter the game if I pinch hit Larcom for him. Its not like Michael isn't a good hitter, he's just been hitting the ball AT people. I was hoping he was due, but Emerson made a phenomenal play to take any chance away from Michael."

The Bandits went down quietly in the 9th inning, without any reaching base.

Overall the game was well played by both sides. Unfortunately the Bandits were on the losing side of this game, and their 2nd 1 run loss this season. Rochford stated, "We had all the momentum after that first inning, already by the end of the 2nd inning their guys were getting frustrated because they weren't getting on base, but we just let them back into it, me included. Maybe it's because we aren't used to playing with the lead, or whatever, we can't be comfortable with just a three run lead in the first, we have to pile on the runs when we can. We have games next week against Elmwood and River Falls, we should be competitive and hopefully we get a W."

Notes

Game Balls

1. Scott Lindholm - went 2/4 (increasing his batting average to .454 against the Millers) and a walk, and a run. Lindholm also caught 7 flyballs on the day and was a part of a wacky 8-2-6 tagout at 2nd base.

2. Steve Siqueiros - 1/3 with a double and 3RBI, that came in the first inning. Siqueiros also drew a walk.

3. Kyle Kahl - played well in the rotating clean spot the Bandits have had since their inception. went 1/3 with a run scored and an RBI, also was hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Kyle also had two cleanly played grounders at 3B.

Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day:
To both the Bandits and the Millers for playing a fun and competitive game that was back and forth and dramatic. Fans got a good game today.

Good job also to Ben Anderson, our announcer, on a stellar job on the Mike.

WOW Play of the Day (tie):
Steve Siqueiros's bases clearing double as the Bandits took their (sigh) biggest lead of the season at 3-0.

Miller Scotty Emerson's leaping, diving, over-around the shoulder foul ball catch/grab/snag with the Bandits threatening in the eighth with batters on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs.

Bandits Missing in Action:
Adam Lewis: Delivering a child from the first man in Minnesota to give birth
Jay Gagner: Colonoscopy
Gus Koecher: Hunting.....people
Joe Holman: Acne removal surgery

Estimated Attendance: 40-60

Weekend Preview: Sat @ Hudson, Sun vs. New Richmond 1pm

The St. Croix River Bandits are looking for their first win of the season yet as they are 0-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Bandits will already be at a disadvantage as they will be without their top 3 pitchers for the game. The Bandits received devastating news that pitcher Jay Gagner may be out for the season with arm and elbow issues. To make matters worse #2 Adam Lewis is out all weekend with work and #3 Jim Rochford just had a newborn son, last Sunday and won't be able to make the weekend games. This leaves that Bandits somewhat strapped. The Bandits expect to pitch a conglomerate of Michael Chelberg, Curtis Roebuck, Kyle Kahl, Matt Vold, Andy Mueller (former SCF Saints star who hasn't pitched in 12+ years), amongst others.

The Bandits first game of the weekend is against the Hudson River Rats on Saturday. The River Rats may only be 2-5 this season, but don't let their poor non-conference record fool you, this team is a powerhouse and the Bandits hope to compete. The Bandits lost 2 games to the Rats last season, by scored of 16-0 and 3-1 (a Jay Gagner pitched game). The Rats are riddled with guys who played college ball, headlined by Sean Parnell, former Amery phenom, who played at UW-Oshkosh. I unfortunately can't tell you much about the River Rats besides they are good, since they don't have boxscores for me to peruse.

Game #2 for the weekend will be at home versus the New Richmond Millers. The Millers are off to a great start this season, going 4-1 including an 8-3 win versus the Menomonie Eagles. The Millers do strike out a lot (much like the Bandits) k'ing 8.8 times per 9. The Millers, though, are so far raking this season, with 6 players batting over .300. Millers pitching has been good to poor, they have won a couple of wild games, 16-12 against UW Barron for instance. The Millers are led on the mound by P Tim Brown. If the Bandits don't see Brown, the Millers have a myriad of pitchers such as Cody Torkelson, Hayden Zimmerman, Logan Peterson, and Mitch Paquin who will all be ready to go. The Millers sport a solid 14 man roster - each guy with the ability to play.