Bandits Fall Just Short of Champion Crushers

The early season match-up of league leaders in the Gold Country Vintage Base Ball League proved to be a tight contest, as the Rancho Murieta Bandits (2-1) gave the defending West Coast Champion, Amador County Crushers (3-0), just about all they could handle. In the end, the Crushers prevailed by the score of 3-2, the lowest scoring contest in recent GCVBB play. The thrilling contest was won in the bottom of the 7th and final inning, with jubilant Crushers showing signs of relief and excitement.

The Crushers got off to a one run first inning lead after stringing together a few hits. However, the Bandits battled back to tie things up after Rob “Rib-eye” Rinaldi (Varsity Coach for Pleasant Grove High) doubled to the wall, and then came around after a wild throw couldn’t get him stealing third. The  Crushers quickly took back their one run lead in the bottom of the second, but the Bandits got the run right back after Matt “Splint” Corsaut’s double, followed by a clutch two-out RBI single by Blake “Calaboose” Carmichael.

After the early run scoring, hurlers from both teams settled down, and tossed gems from the mound. “Splint” spread out seven hits over seven innings, while Crushers “Bones” and “Meat” combined to allow only eight hits. Both clubs also flashed some fine leather in the field, taking away sure base hits, and cutting down base runners. “Philthy” Phil Albee was drawn in and threw out one Crusher from center field, and left fielder Terry “T-Bone” Conway threw out a runner at second from the fence (on the fly!). The Bandit "behinds" (catchers; Mark "Manley" Walthers, Todd "Penny" Pennington, and Ben "Coco" Hardt) also put in a workmanlike effort, sore thumbs and all.

The final run scored after Rich “Hawk” Hawkins reached on a one-out single, and then stole second base. After taking off to third for another steal, “Crunch” smoked a grounder down the first base line that proved to be too tough to handle, and the winning run was scored for the defending champs.

Despite the tough loss, it was a great day at the yard for both teams, and a new league rivalry appeared to be in the making. In true Vintage fashion, both teams enjoyed a post-game barbeque, toasting each other for the fine play.

The next Bandit game is set for June 1st at 11AM at Argonaut High School. The Bandits will take on the 2006 league champion Mother Load Miners (1-1) in a game that will likely determine which team lands in second place headed into the second half of the season. The next HOME game for the Bandits is on June 29th (11AM) in a re-match with the Crushers. Hope to see you at the yard, home and away!