Game Recap - Game vs. Siren Turns Into Exhibition

The Siren Steelers came to town on Wednesday evening, but unfortunately there were only 6 of them. This forced coach Scott Lindholm into sending some Bandits to the other dugout so some sort of game could atleast be made and players could get some work in before this weekend's tournament. "I'm sure it was a tough decision as to who to send over to the Steelers side, but we sent over some guys who got more at-bats than they would have otherwise today." said pitcher Jim Rochford, in reference to the two part-time starters Curtis Roebuck and Sean Weinberg, and high schooler Jack Werner.

Kyle Kahl started the game for the Bandits and threw three innings of work. Kahl pitched well in his outing but the Bandits' defense was as sloppy as the weather, which unfortunately set the tone for the exhibition.

The River Bandits did come out hitting the ball taking a 4-3 lead after the 1st inning. However, in the fourth inning Steelers turned the mound over to Bandits player Curtis Roebuck, who shut his teammates down effectively.

The exhibition was called due to weather in the middle of the fifth inning with the Steelers/Bandits leading the Bandits 8-5.

*Other Notes

*Don't forget the Bandits play in the Osceola Tournament this weekend 6/1 @ 6:30 v. Osceola, and 6/2 @ 2pm v. Rosetown

*Michael Chelberg pitched an inning of relief and Trevor Todd threw two.

*Scott Lindholm went 2/3, and Chad Allram's first two pitches he saw plunked him in the left shoulder.

*Word is Troy DeSmet is coming along very well from his injury v. Princeton on Saturday

*Bandit's player Sean Weinberg made a leaping catch in right field for the Steelers on a lined shot that appeared to be heading to the fence.

Game Preview - Osceola Tournament 6/1-6/3

The Bandits travel to Osceola to play in the Osceola Tournament for the first weekend in June. The Bandits play the Osceola Braves Friday night (6/1) at 6:30, where Jim Rochford (0-0 5.56 ERA, 11 K 11.1 IP) will make the start.

The Bandits will play the Rosetown A's on Saturday (6/2) at 2pm and a game on Sunday that will be determined later.

More details to come!

Game Preview - Siren Steelers @ SCF 5/30 6pm

The River Bandits (0-3) and the Siren Steelers will try to get a game in before dark this coming Wednesday. Kyle Kahl will get the nod for the Bandits who will be playing their first non-conference game of the season. Many of the current Bandits players played for the Steelers last season, but once the Steelers joined the Independent Baseball League, rules dictated that the SCF players lived too far away to be on the team. Thus, Scott Lindholm and Trevor Todd decided to form their own team.

After a poor showing versus Braham a week ago, the Bandits played much better against Princeton in a 10-7 loss in the rain last Saturday. Coach Scott Lindholm "believes the team is really coming together," and "a couple hits or defensive plays here and there and we could as easily be sitting with a 2-1 record right now."

Wednesday's weather calls for a high of 71 degrees and a slight chance (30%) of rain. We hope to see you out there!

Game Recap - Rain Doesn't Stop Game, But Bandits Lose in Late Innings

The St. Croix River Bandits (0-3) trailed most of the game. However, at the end of seven innings they had managed to tie the game up at seven runs a piece. The Princeton Panthers (3-3, 2-2 conf.) managed to score three in the top of the eighth inning to take a 10-7 lead which was also the final score. Jim Rochford started for the Bandits and threw seven innings with three earned runs allowed. Rochford started off well striking out the side in the first inning. Walks became a problem in the middle innings for Rochford, and it seemed every Panther the got a free base was able to come around and score. Rochford was able to come out and pitch a good sixth and seventh inning, instilling confidence in the pitcher, who is only making his second start since high school.

The Bandits batters did have a good day at the plate, knocking out 12 hits. Jordan Martell led the team with 3 hits in 4 at bats, and scoring twice. Scott Lindholm and Michael Chelberg had two hits a piece.

Brandon Jensen, who pitched to only two batters, unfortunately ended up with the loss. Jensen had got the first out on a tough comebacker and walked the next batter. Mike Leahy was inserted and also struggled. walking two batters. Trever Todd was brought in, and was able to get a strike out and got the next batter to a two strike count. The batter was able to take a pitch the other way over the infielder's head and thus break the tie score.

*Other notes:

* 3b - Troy DeSmet was injured diving for a lined ball down the third baseline. DeSmet also took two hard foul balls of the body while batting earlier in the game, and was replaced in the 4th inning. His condition is unknown at this time.

* Jack Rydeen, the police chief of St. Croix Falls threw out the first pitch

* The game was delayed twice due to rain/lightning but for no longer than ten minutes at a time

* 15 year-old Matt Vold made the start at 2B for the Bandits, going 1 for 4 and making a phenomenal defensive grab and throw to end a Panther's threatening rally.

for full boxscore click here