Posts
The St. Croix River Bandits (0-1) have two more non-conference games the weekend and hopefully they will bring out their sticks. Friday the Bandits will face the Isanti Redbirds (1-0) who were 28-10 last season and finished 4th in the MN state tournament last season. The Redbirds defeated the Bandits in an odd game early last year that saw the Bandits jump out to a 4-2 lead through 4 1/2 innings. The Redbirds, however, were able to score 12 more runs in the next 2 innings, thomping the Bandits 14-4 in 6innings.
The Redbirds are led by stud catcher Kyle Johnson, who completed his senior season with the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers, a DII conference. Johnson finished his career making the All-MIAC three times, including 2nd team all region last season, and probably 1st team all region this season as he hit .404 and 16HR with 36RBI in only 33 games. Last season Johnson hit a 941' home run off of starting pitcher Jim Rochford, who said in response, "Hey, I struck him out the first time....". Rochford is expected to start on the mound again for the Bandits with Adam Lewis ready to pitch the back 5. The Bandits are 1-2 lifetime versus the Redbirds, with that coming back in 2007 when Jay Gagner defeated them 2-1.
***Breaking News*** On 5/5/09 Kyle Johnson signed a pro contract with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, an independant pro team that plays in the Northern League. This means that the Redbirds will be without their clean-up hitter this season, not that the Bandits are out of the woods just yet. The Redbirds still have BJ Samuelson and Tyler Schaff who combined hit 9HR and 58 RBI laste season.
***HOME OPENER***
The Bandits begin their promotional and home season on Saturday vs. the Blaine Fusion (3-0), a Class B MN team. The Bandits will be giving away free mini-poster schedules to all fans in attendance thanks to the Copy Shop in St. Croix Falls. Blaine finished the season 26-12 in 2008, just missing the playoffs. They are led by former Concordia-St. Paul player Tony Boxwell, who hit .458 with 5 HR and 53RBI last season (at least he is only hitting .583 this season). Blaine also sports 3 pitchers that have an ERA under 2.00 and a team batting average of .350. The Bandits will counter with their ace, former Golden Gopher, Jay Gagner. Gagner was only 1-3 last season, but that was due solely to lack of run support as his ERA was 0.95 and had 64 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bandits Lose a Nail Biter
The St. Croix River Bandits (0-1, 0-0) played a well rounded game on Sunday afternoon in a 4-3 loss to the Grantsburg Honkers. Down by a run in the top of the ninth inning and with one out, RF Tim Wampfler slapped a single to left field and was followed by LF Trevor Todd drawing a walk. 3B Jeff Johnson struck out swinging on a 2-2 fastball, leaving C Steve Siqueiros at the plate with 2 outs. Siqueiros had scored all 3 of the Bandits runs on Sunday - walking once, smashing a double to left-center field, and reaching by error. Siqueiros was behind in the count 1-2, with the next pitch on its way and in the zone Siqueiros took a mighty swing, but failed to make contact. The Bandits took their first loss of the season.
Jim Rochford started the game on the mound for the Bandits. Rochford pitched 6 innings, giving up only 5 hits and 4 walks, 2 runs (1 earned), and struckout 2. Grantsburg scored first in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Honkers started the inning with a lead-off single, an out and an error later, the Honkers had men on first and 2nd with no outs. Rochford was able to a induce a groundball that forced out a man at 2nd. With runners on the corners the Honkers #9 batter and catcher was able to slap a base hit to left field, scoring the man from 3rd.
The Bandits came right back in the top of the 5th inning after Siqueiros's double. After 2B Curtis Roebuck bunted Siqueiros over to 3rd, the Honkers pitcher walked the next two batters. Siqueiros was able to score on a wild pitch, sending the SS Kyle Kahl and CF Scott Lindholm to 3rd and 2nd respectively, with only 1 out. The Bandits, however, were not able to capitalize, scoring only the 1 run.
The Honkers came back and scored in the 6th - scoring a run off of a very untimely error at 1B with 2 outs and a Honker on 3B, giving Grantsburg a 2-1 lead. The Bandits tied it back up in the top of the 7th. Two walks and an infield hit gave the Bandits a great position to score a lot of runs with no outs. Lindholm was at the plate and hit the ball sharpely to the Honkers first baseman. The Honker threw the ball home in hopes of getting Siqueiros, running from 3rd,with a force-out. Siqueiros beat the throw home and the Bandits tied the game at 2, bases still loaded and nobody out. The Bandits bats abandoned them again when the opportunity was ripe for more runs, and the next three batter struck out.
Trevor Todd relieved Rochford in the 7th inning, but had trouble finding consistency in early in the inning, walking 2 before getting his first out. The next batter hit a blooper that just stayed fair down the right field line, scoring a runner, and giving the Honkers another one run lead. The Honkers scored again in the inning taking a 4-2 lead into the 8th. The Honkers, however, tried to give the lead up in the top of the eigth. After getting the first 2 outs, Siqueiros and Roebuck reached on errors and Kahl walked, loading the bases for Lindholm-who then also reached base on an error, allowing Siqueiros to score his third run of the game. However, for the 4th time of the game, the Bandits struckout with the bases loaded.
In summary the Bandits played a good game, scattering 3 errors (only one that hurt) and getting seven hits and drawing six walks. As starting pitcher Jim Rochford said, "Its always a better feeling to get a win, but in a non-conference game like this, we just have to go out there and try to shake some of the winter rust off. We left a lot of guys on base today, and struck out too many times, but I am very optimistic for this season....if we can score 3 runs a game when Gagner pitches we'll finish the season with 10 or 11 conference wins. I know those are bold words coming from a team that went 2-13 in conference last season, guess that just shows how optimistic I am."
The Bandits next game is Friday at Isanti at 7:30 and then the home opener is Saturday 5/9 at the St. Croix Falls High School field, where ace Jay Gagner will be pitching against the Blaine Fusion. The Bandits will be handing out free giveaways to fans all season at every home game. Saturdays game will be free mini-poster schedules for all those in attendance. Come out and watch a game, its free entertainment.
*Notes*
Game Balls: I'll break this down Hockey Style
1st ball: Catcher Steve Siqueiros - scored all 3 Bandits runs and called a great game behind the plate
2nd ball: Pitcher Jim Rochford - pitched 6 solid innings, scattering 5 hits and 4 walks. Allowed only 1 earned run, 2 total and struck out 2.
3rd ball: LF Trevor Todd and CF Scott Lindholm combined to go 4 for 7 on the day accounting for over half of the Bandits total hits.
Unheralded hero of the day: Curtis Roebuck - made 10 defensive plays without an error, and executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that would later score Steve Siqueiros
The Bandits will be having a fundraiser in conjunction with The Boulevard Bar and Grill in Dresser. On May 23rd between 8pm and 12am you can receive unlimited tap beer if you purchase a Bandits Bash ticket from either your local Bandit or from the Boulevard. The tickets will be $10 to purchase and proceeds will go towards funding of the Bandits organization. Tickets can be purchased at the door on that Saturday.
Chris Chelberg has officially been put on the 60 Day - DL following a carpenter's knife accident...to put it kindly, who needs all five fingers anyway....right??
Michael Chelberg, son of Chris, did NOT bring his dog to the game on Sunday...76% of the reason we lost.
College kids come back next weekend.
Jim Rochford started the game on the mound for the Bandits. Rochford pitched 6 innings, giving up only 5 hits and 4 walks, 2 runs (1 earned), and struckout 2. Grantsburg scored first in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Honkers started the inning with a lead-off single, an out and an error later, the Honkers had men on first and 2nd with no outs. Rochford was able to a induce a groundball that forced out a man at 2nd. With runners on the corners the Honkers #9 batter and catcher was able to slap a base hit to left field, scoring the man from 3rd.
The Bandits came right back in the top of the 5th inning after Siqueiros's double. After 2B Curtis Roebuck bunted Siqueiros over to 3rd, the Honkers pitcher walked the next two batters. Siqueiros was able to score on a wild pitch, sending the SS Kyle Kahl and CF Scott Lindholm to 3rd and 2nd respectively, with only 1 out. The Bandits, however, were not able to capitalize, scoring only the 1 run.
The Honkers came back and scored in the 6th - scoring a run off of a very untimely error at 1B with 2 outs and a Honker on 3B, giving Grantsburg a 2-1 lead. The Bandits tied it back up in the top of the 7th. Two walks and an infield hit gave the Bandits a great position to score a lot of runs with no outs. Lindholm was at the plate and hit the ball sharpely to the Honkers first baseman. The Honker threw the ball home in hopes of getting Siqueiros, running from 3rd,with a force-out. Siqueiros beat the throw home and the Bandits tied the game at 2, bases still loaded and nobody out. The Bandits bats abandoned them again when the opportunity was ripe for more runs, and the next three batter struck out.
Trevor Todd relieved Rochford in the 7th inning, but had trouble finding consistency in early in the inning, walking 2 before getting his first out. The next batter hit a blooper that just stayed fair down the right field line, scoring a runner, and giving the Honkers another one run lead. The Honkers scored again in the inning taking a 4-2 lead into the 8th. The Honkers, however, tried to give the lead up in the top of the eigth. After getting the first 2 outs, Siqueiros and Roebuck reached on errors and Kahl walked, loading the bases for Lindholm-who then also reached base on an error, allowing Siqueiros to score his third run of the game. However, for the 4th time of the game, the Bandits struckout with the bases loaded.
In summary the Bandits played a good game, scattering 3 errors (only one that hurt) and getting seven hits and drawing six walks. As starting pitcher Jim Rochford said, "Its always a better feeling to get a win, but in a non-conference game like this, we just have to go out there and try to shake some of the winter rust off. We left a lot of guys on base today, and struck out too many times, but I am very optimistic for this season....if we can score 3 runs a game when Gagner pitches we'll finish the season with 10 or 11 conference wins. I know those are bold words coming from a team that went 2-13 in conference last season, guess that just shows how optimistic I am."
The Bandits next game is Friday at Isanti at 7:30 and then the home opener is Saturday 5/9 at the St. Croix Falls High School field, where ace Jay Gagner will be pitching against the Blaine Fusion. The Bandits will be handing out free giveaways to fans all season at every home game. Saturdays game will be free mini-poster schedules for all those in attendance. Come out and watch a game, its free entertainment.
*Notes*
Game Balls: I'll break this down Hockey Style
1st ball: Catcher Steve Siqueiros - scored all 3 Bandits runs and called a great game behind the plate
2nd ball: Pitcher Jim Rochford - pitched 6 solid innings, scattering 5 hits and 4 walks. Allowed only 1 earned run, 2 total and struck out 2.
3rd ball: LF Trevor Todd and CF Scott Lindholm combined to go 4 for 7 on the day accounting for over half of the Bandits total hits.
Unheralded hero of the day: Curtis Roebuck - made 10 defensive plays without an error, and executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that would later score Steve Siqueiros
The Bandits will be having a fundraiser in conjunction with The Boulevard Bar and Grill in Dresser. On May 23rd between 8pm and 12am you can receive unlimited tap beer if you purchase a Bandits Bash ticket from either your local Bandit or from the Boulevard. The tickets will be $10 to purchase and proceeds will go towards funding of the Bandits organization. Tickets can be purchased at the door on that Saturday.
Chris Chelberg has officially been put on the 60 Day - DL following a carpenter's knife accident...to put it kindly, who needs all five fingers anyway....right??
Michael Chelberg, son of Chris, did NOT bring his dog to the game on Sunday...76% of the reason we lost.
College kids come back next weekend.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Preview: Season Opener at Grantsburg - Sunday 5/3 1:00pm
St. Croix River Bandits will travel for their first game of the season on Sunday to face the Honkers of Grantsburg. This will be the Bandits first meeting with the Honkers. The Bandits (and most likely the Honkers as well..) will be without a few key players who are still off at college, but Bandits veteran Jim Rochford will take the mound, making his 2nd opening day start in 3 years. Rochford went 4-5 last season with a 3.63 ERA. The teams leading hitters Scott Lindholm and Michael Chelberg will be suiting up for the game, as Bandits hitter hope to have a little more luck than last season which saw the team's batting average drop 20 points from the first season.
Not much is known about the Honkers, they have had up and down seasons the last few years playing in the Independant League.
Projected Line-Up
CF Scott Lindholm -3rd year
1B John Peterson -2nd year
DH Michael Chelberg -3rd year
RF Joe Holman -1st year - Bandits 1st round pick in 2009.
LF Trevor Todd -3rd year
3B Jeff Johnson -1st year - free agent brought out of retirement
C Steve Siqueiros -3rd year
SS Kyle Kahl - 3rd year
2B Curtis Roebuck -3rd year
Other Notes:
Kyle Kahl will begin the season as the every day shortstop - making him the 3rd different opening day SS in 3 years. Kyle will take the position over from John Peterson, who is moving over to 2b. JP will start this game at 1B, as he is battling ......an injury...
Unavailable for the game will be: starting 3B Mitch Thompson, pull-hitter powerhouse Mike VanderPlas, Jake Larcom, Bandits career HR leader Adam Lewis, utility-man Preston Langer, Trygve Chinander, and ace Jay Gagner (who will be pitching the 5/9 vs. Blaine).
Not much is known about the Honkers, they have had up and down seasons the last few years playing in the Independant League.
Projected Line-Up
CF Scott Lindholm -3rd year
1B John Peterson -2nd year
DH Michael Chelberg -3rd year
RF Joe Holman -1st year - Bandits 1st round pick in 2009.
LF Trevor Todd -3rd year
3B Jeff Johnson -1st year - free agent brought out of retirement
C Steve Siqueiros -3rd year
SS Kyle Kahl - 3rd year
2B Curtis Roebuck -3rd year
Other Notes:
Kyle Kahl will begin the season as the every day shortstop - making him the 3rd different opening day SS in 3 years. Kyle will take the position over from John Peterson, who is moving over to 2b. JP will start this game at 1B, as he is battling ......an injury...
Unavailable for the game will be: starting 3B Mitch Thompson, pull-hitter powerhouse Mike VanderPlas, Jake Larcom, Bandits career HR leader Adam Lewis, utility-man Preston Langer, Trygve Chinander, and ace Jay Gagner (who will be pitching the 5/9 vs. Blaine).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Bandits ready for another season
The St. Croix River Bandits are hoping for another strong start for the 2009 season. During 2008 the Bandits started off 4-2, but struggled to put runs across the plate for most of the season, and finished 8-16. This year the Bandits have scheduled 22 games, 16 within the St. Croix Valley Baseball League and 6 non-conference games. The Bandits have considerably stepped up the competition in the non-conference games this year - with opponents 2008 record totaling 115 wins and 82 losses (compared to last years 85-106) .
The Bandits have added a couple of players over the off-season. Most notably 1b/3b Jeff "Plow" Johnson. Michael VanderPlas, Tim Wampfler, and Will Ball will join the mix as well. The Bandits will also be receiving increased availability from current players Trevor Todd and Mitch Thompson (.309 combined batting average in 2008).
The Bandits first game will be at Grantsburg, Sunday May 3rd vs the Grantsburg Honkers.
The Bandits have added a couple of players over the off-season. Most notably 1b/3b Jeff "Plow" Johnson. Michael VanderPlas, Tim Wampfler, and Will Ball will join the mix as well. The Bandits will also be receiving increased availability from current players Trevor Todd and Mitch Thompson (.309 combined batting average in 2008).
The Bandits first game will be at Grantsburg, Sunday May 3rd vs the Grantsburg Honkers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)