Sunday May 17, 1998

After having to cancel and/or postpone the first 4 games on the schedule, the Bandits were finally able to get their season started by playing the Springboro Panthers, an all 12-year-old team, on Saturday May 9. Although it was unfortunately a losing effort, the team played well and certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. The final score was 9-2. Leadoff hitter Matt Kowaleski scored both Bandit runs, as he went 1 for 2 with a walk. RBI's were recorded by shortstop Michael Smith and first baseman Andrew Ferguson, both with doubles. Zach Hurley and Sean Miller handled the pitching in fine fashion, walking only 4 in 6 innings while recording 3 strikeouts.

Wednesday May 13, found the Bandits at home against the Lakota Vipers. Pitcher Scott Garrett was the beneficiary of a ten run third inning by the Bandits, highlighted by doubles from Michael Smith and Ross Bellar. The inning also featured singles from Matt Kowaleski and Garrett, who also had a stolen base. The lead didn't hold up, however, as the Vipers came back with 4 runs in the 4th and 8 in the 5th. Undaunted, the Bandits responded in the home half of the 5th with a leadoff walk by Zach Hurley followed by a Kowaleski double. A sacrifice fly by Smith produced an RBI and a single by Garrett produced another to tie the score. The game was postponed due to darkness and will be finished prior to the start of the Bandits / Vipers game on June 3rd.

The Bandits traveled south to Lakota on Saturday, May 16 to play a double header against the Lakota 12-year-old team. It was a great day for baseball and the club played well. Unfortunately, they fell short in both games, 7-4 and 8-3. Zach Hurley and Scott Garrett pitched the first game while Sean Miller threw a complete game in the nightcap. Defensive highlights included three double plays in the two games. Second baseman Chris Godfrey was involved in all three, including an unassisted one and one of the traditional 6-4-3 variety that was started by shortstop Michael Smith and finished by Chad Paden at first base. Paden played an excellent game at first base and catcher Wick Makse caught 8 outstanding innings. Many excellent plays were turned by a variety of Bandits, including third baseman Ross Bellar, shortstop Smith, left fielder Jacob Eisenhut, to name a few. The offensive leaders were Andrew Ferguson, who was on base 5 times in 6 at bats, Smith, who scored four runs, Matt Kowaleski with two walks and a single. Stolen bases were recorded by Luke Blom, Wick Makse, Ross Bellar, and Andrew Ferguson.

The team has this week off and will resume season play on Wednesday May 27 at Trenton.

Sunday May 31, 1998

After nearly a two-week lay-off, the Bandits were back in action Wednesday May 27 in Trenton against a very good ball club. After taking a one run lead in the first when Matt Kowaleski led off by getting hit in the head with a pitch and eventually scoring, the Bandits defense and pitching took over. Right hander Sean Miller was efficient on the mound, throwing only 19 pitches to get through three innings. He had excellent defense behind him, including an outstanding catch by leftfielder Zach Hurley, and very good plays by infielders Ross Bellar, Michael Smith, and Chris Godfrey. The lead did not hold up however, as Trenton pitching stifled the Bandits offense and their hitting produced 7 runs. Final score 7-1.

Saturday May 30 found the Springboro team at home for a double header against Hunter. It turned out to be a very good day for the Bandits as they recorded a sweep, 12-8 and 19-6. The starting pitchers in both games for the Bandits ran into hard luck early but the relief pitching shined. Scott Garret started the first game and breezed through the first inning, but ran into trouble in the second and was relieved with two outs by lefty Zach Hurley. Hurley ended up pitching 4&2/3 innings, throwing 47 pitches, 39 for strikes. He gave up only one run in the 6th, and had 4 strikeouts with no walks. Sean Miller started the second game but had to come out in the first inning due to soreness in his shoulder. Garret relieved and completed three strong innings, striking out four. Having pitched in both games however the coach decided to rest Scott and bring in lefty Luke Blom in the 4th. Blom finished the final three innings of the game, facing only ten batters, and throwing only 23 pitches, 18 of those for strikes. He had two strikeouts and four assists. The offense in both games was very good, led by lead-off hitter Matt Kowaleski, on base 8 times in 9 trips to the plate, scoring 7 times. Andrew Ferguson scored 6 runs and Michael Smith and Chris Godfrey each added 4 more runs. Smith also had 4 RBI's in the second game. Leftfielder Jake Eisenhut was on base four out of four times with four walks in the second game, while Chad Paden singled and walked twice, scored three runs and had four stolen bases. Catcher Wick Makse also scored 2 runs in the second game, and was on base all three times up. Ross Bellar also had a good day at the plate reaching 5 times in the two games.

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