The Becker Bandits played twice this past week, one as an exhibition during Freedom Days and another the following day against St. Joe’s.
Bandits 6, Buzzards 2
Saturday, the Becker Bandits faced off against the elder-class baseball team of the Becker Buzzards in a exhibition matchup and came away with a four-run win.
The game was scoreless until the fourth when the Bandits’ Austin Rasmussen led off with a single and advanced to second on a single by Connor Rolf. Rasmussen then advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a fielder’s choice by Kreeden Blomquist to put the youngsters up 1-0.
In the top of sixth, Hayden Fassler of the Bandits led off with a base hit and Rasmussen followed with a single. Rolf walked to load the bases for Matt Conzemius, who lined a single to score Fassler and Rasmussen. Blomquist secured another RBI on another fielder’s choice grounder to score Rolf. Matt Krenz stepped up and was hit by a pitch. Ryan Sommerdorf scored Conzemius on a fielder’s choice and Jon Crowley singled home Blomquist to score the team’s sixth run.
“This was a fun and well-played game for us,” said Manager Cole Hanson, “although our bats didn't going ‘til late.”
The Bandits finished with six runs on eight hits while the Buzzards tallied two runs on 10 hits.
Crowley was the Bandits starter and he went three innings, giving up two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Blomquist came on in relief and went one inning, giving up two walks. Krenz went the rest of the way and notched the win, giving up five hits while striking out two.
Rasmussen went 2-for-4 as did Conzemius, who tallied two RBI's. Ryan Sommerdorf was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Rolf, Crowley and Hayden Fassler each recorded one hit.
St. Joseph 11, Becker 0
Sunday, the Bandits returned to the field to play a regular season game against the St. Joseph Joe’s and were shutout.
St. Joe’s limited the Bandits to three hits while striking out three and giving up one walk.
Becker committed seven errors which led to the 11 runs on 11 hits. Becker pitchers could muster just five strikeouts.
Hanson toed the rubber for Becker, going 4-2/3 innings giving up 10 runs (only three earned) on nine hits, while striking out four and walking one. Brian Kolbinger finished the mess, going 2-1/3 innings, giving up two hits, while striking out one batter and giving up just one run.
Fassler, Rasmussen and Krenz had Becker’s three hits.
“Our bats were completely silent and we couldn't seem to get anything going against Joe’s starter Jack Atkinson,” said Hanson.
“Our defense was vital to why they had 11 runners cross home plate,” he said. “Committing seven errors in a ball game is not clean at all and won't win you a game. It's frustrating to have things not go your way.”
Up Next
The Bandits’ next game is Thursday in Sartell to take on the Stone Poneys in a league game. Start time is 7 p.m.
