Bandits Beat the Heat, Nine

 Colby "Cheddar" Craig sends one deep versus the Nine.

It was a blistering hot day, but that did not keep the Rancho Murieta Bandit faithful from Stonehouse Park on Sunday. Cranks of all ages caught the Bandits (3-0) winning another game against the Ione Preston Nine (0-4). The victory helped the Bandits maintain their first place standing in the Gold Country Vintage Base Ball League in the early going of the 12-game season. But like the heat, the Preston Nine were relentless in their attempt to bag their first victory.

It appeared that the Bandits would be up to their old tricks, gaining 4 tallies in the top of the first (Why the visiting team? A bat toss at the start of the game, per tradition of the 1800’s, determined that The Nine would take the field first). Lead-off striker Phil "Philthy" Albee legged out a short grounder to reach safely, and he was later knocked in by Matt "Splint" Corsaut on a deep fly to left. The next three strikers, Colby "Cheddar" Craig (double), Blake "Calaboose" Carmichael (single), and Scott "Leather" Oltmanns (triple), added to the scoring, and the score was 4-0 after the top half of the first frame was complete.

However, it was the Preston Nine that turned the scoreboard in the early going. They recorded nine runs in the first three innings. A two-out rally in the bottom of the second was stopped at 3 runs when behind "Calaboose" Carmichael caught a base runner trying to advance to third on a steal. But strong hitting, and a few Bandit errors led the Preston Nine to a 9-4 lead after three frames.

The Bandits appeared to stage a comeback in the top of the fourth, when Rob "Rib-eye" Rinaldi reached on a base hit, and stole second. The next four strikers to the line reached base safely, and cut the deficit to 9-6 after Dan "Sunny Daze" Hayes brought in a run with his single. But with the bases loaded, and only one out, the vintage rules of play haunted the home team. A called strike three in the dirt, forced all runners to advance (yes, even with the bases loaded). An alert behind for The Nine, promptly stepped on home plate to record the second out, then tagged the striker at the line for a vintage double play! The Bandit rally was stymied, and it looked bleak in the blistering heat for the Bandits.

Second pitcher, Craig "Shooter" Sheehy quickly retired The Nine in the bottom of the fourth. It was then that the Bandit bats heated up again. Jonathan "Junk Yard Dog" Aberle led off with a single, and a crafty bunt single by Todd "Penny" Pennington brightened the spirits of the Bandit cranks. But it was John "Deuce Hog" Dodson that came through in crunch time, blasting a double to deep left that spurred the eight run fifth inning to life. By the end of the fifth frame, the Bandits assumed control of the game, and did not turn their backs on a 14-9 lead.

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Bandits and Nine traded tallies. However, the Bandit victory was punctuated by a long shot off the bat of Ben "Coco" Hardt for his first over the wall home run of his Bandit career! Scott "Leather" Oltmanns also got his first taste of vintage hurling in the bottom of the seventh. He kept the Nine off balance, and recorded two quick ground ball outs. After two base hits were surrendered, the Bandit defense pulled together as the final batter of the day hit a ball to the left field wall. "Deuce" Dodson quickly reached the short porch in left field, and fired an accurate relay to short stop "Calaboose" Carmichael. An alert second tender "Rib-eye" Rinaldi called for the relay, which nailed the striker at second to end the game. A sigh of relief was felt across Banditville, as the victory was recorded.

The next Bandit game is 1:30 PM on Sunday May 31st. It will be played at Amador High School versus the Sierra Highlanders (2-1). The winner of the game will prove to be a strong contender for first place. The next Bandit home game is June 7th at 1:30PM. Come on out and enjoy the vintage game at home "or on the road." You can always stay up to date on the Bandit web-site here on .com, or at www.gcvbb.com.