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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
Monday, June 28, 2010
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.
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!!!!!!
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.
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.
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