Bandits Struck Down by Miners, Drop First Game of Season

As the temperatures fell, so did the Rancho Murieta Bandits (4-1). On a pleasant and breezy day, the Mother Lode Miners (3-2) continued their unbeaten streak versus the Rancho Murieta ballists. It was a highly anticipated match-up that did not fall short of entertainment. The Bandits attempted to claw back from an early deficit, but ran out of innings, losing 9-8.

The Miners took to the line first, and did not wait very long to get on the board. A lead off double, a misplayed windblown fly ball, and a passed ball strikeout loaded the bases. A grand slam by “Masher” Bonini put the Miners up 4-0 after only four batters. When the Bandits finally recorded consecutivve ground ball outs, the score was already 5-0.

The Bandits tried to mount an immediate comeback with a lead off single from “Philthy” Phil Albee. Captain Blake “Calaboose” Carmichael followed with a hot smash to the right side that found its way to the right field wall, and “Calaboose” found his way to third. Hurler Matt “Splint” Corsaut helped his own cause by hitting a sacrifice fly for the second and final run of the inning.

In the top half of the second, “Splint” Corsaut and the Bandit defense settled down. Three ground outs were turned by “Calaboose” Carmichael and Bob “Bullet” Gignilliat. However, the Miners defense returned the favor, keeping the Bandits from crossing the plate as well.

In the third frame, “Masher” Bonini again caused problems for the Bandits, reaching on a one-out double. A mistimed pick-off play brought “Masher” all the way around to score, and put the Miners up 6-2. The Bandit half of the inning looked bleak, but with two outs, “Splint” Corsaut reached on a single, which was followed by Colby “Cheddar” Craig’s second home run of the year. At the end of the third, the Bandits were in striking distance, down only 6-4.

The Miners moved further ahead in the fourth. After back to back singles, a three run home run was punched over the fence. After recording three quick outs, the Bandits tried to strike back. Two quick outs were recorded, but Mark “Manley” Walthers and “Philthy” Albee both reached on singles. But they were left stranded on the basepaths, and the score remained 6-4.

The top half of the fifth looked to be where the Miners would make a “laugher” of the game, but the crafty Bandits held them at bay. Two singles and a hot grounder loaded the bases with Miners, and NO outs had been recorded. The fourth batter was struck out, but the ball briefly eluded behind (catcher) Scott “Leather” Oltmanns. In vintage play, all forced runners must advance on a dropped third strike. An alert behind “Leather” picked up the ball and touched the plate to record the first out, then fired over to third. A TRUE vintage double play! But the play was not over, as “Splint” Corsaut flipped the ball to first tender Jonathan “Junk Yard Dog” Aberle while the runner was not looking. With “Splint” on the mound without the ball (not a balk in the 1880’s), the runner took his lead from first. “Junk Yard” revealed the ball, and the runner was tagged for the third out of the inning, with no runs scored!

The Bandits would not go quietly, as in the bottom of the fifth, nine strikers reached the line for the Bandits. A single by “Splint” Corsaut and an RBI base knock by “Junk Yard” Aberle got things going. After a few more hits, Mark “Manley” Walthers capped the inning with an RBI single of his own, and the Bandits were only down 9-8.

The Bandit defense held true the remainder of the game, including a double play from “Bullet” to “Calaboose” to “Junk Yard” (who scooped the ball out of the dirt with his gardening glove…something the Bandits have come to appreciate all season). But the Bandit bats fell silent. Save a ground rule double by “Splint” Corsaut, the heart of the order was not able to advance, and the game was ended at 9-8.

Despite the loss, the Bandits lead the standings by a slim margin. The next game for the Bandits is on June 28th, in Ione at 1:30PM. The Bandits square off against the Sierra Highlanders who are looking to even up the season series, while the Bandits hope to resume their winning ways.

Come on out and enjoy the vintage game on the road. You can always stay up to date on the Bandit web-site here on .com, or at www.gcvbb.com.