Even though the River Bandit's season is over Rockford pitcher, Jason Lesser, gets to play a little more ball. Maple Plain has drafted Lesser to help with their state tournament needs. Lesser had a team high 70 innings pitched for the Bandits this season including four complete games. Lesser will also join Maple Plain with Dassel-Cokato's Jordan Flick and Monstrose-Waverly's TJ Aalid. Maple Plain's first game of the statue tournament will be Friday, August 21st in Watkins at 7:30pm versus Raymond. Good luck to Maple Plain and Jason Lesser.

The Rockford River Bandits played their first playoff game Saturday night against the Maple Plain Diamond Devils and lost by a score of 5-3. Maple Plain hit the scoreboard first scoring two runs in the second, but Rockford answered right back in the top of the third with two runs of their own. In the bottom of the fourth the Devils got back on top by scoring one. Once again, the Bandits answered right back in the top of the fifth when Bryan McCallum singles after an Andy Jorges double. The game remained tied until the bottom of the eigth when (with two outs) when Lee Gregg hits a two RBI double to right center field. This time the Bandits were unable to respond and results in the end of the road for the 2015 season.

Offense was led by Bryan McCallum, who got three hits and knocked in one. Jorges got one double, one single, scored one run, and actually got hit by a pitch. Ben Fontana, Cody Kielsa, Tom Traen, Donnie Mavencamp, and Jordan Williams all got hits. Haven Williams, although no hits, was able to lay down two sacrifice bunts on the night.

The starting pitcher for Rockford was Jason Lesser. He through eight tough innings and managed to stike out three, giving up zero walks or hit batters, and giving up eleven hits.

The Rockford River Bandits would like to thank everyone for their support of the team this season. It was another very fun year and everyone is a part of making the games as enjoyable as they are. We will give a special shoutout to Dave Pederson, whose articles in the Crow River News have been greatly enjoyed by the players and fans. Before the Bandits look to the 2016 season a couple team events are currently in the works. A fundraiser Beer Bust will be scheduled sometime during the off-season along with a couple other activities. Stayed tuned for further announcements.

The first playoff game between Rockford and Maple Plain (originally scheduled at 4:00pm in Maple Plain on Saturday, August 1st) has been rescheduled to a 7:30pm game at Loretto on Saturday, August 1st. Rockford will be the visiting team in the contest.

It was a disspointing week as the River Bandits drop all three games.

Wednesday, Hutchinson 8 - Rockford 1

The River Bandits' ace, Jason Lesser, took the mound last Wednesday night against a tough Hutchinson team. Lesser cruised through five innings before giving up three runs in the fifth inning and then the Huskie's bats were able to get five more in the fifth. Lesser ended up throwing 6-1/3 innings, gave up 6 earned runs, striking out one and walking two. Haven Williams then came in to relieve Lesser in the sixth and closed the door to not allow another Husky hit for the rest of the contest. Haven gave up zero runs, zero, walks, and zero hits while managing to strike out three in his 2-2/3 innings of relief.

The River Bandits managed to get eight hits off Hutchinson's pitchers. Anthony Brenner was the only Bandit to get two hits. Haven Williams, Andy Jorges, Bryan McCallum, Donnie Mavencamp, Alex Bjorkstrand and Jordan Williams all got one hit. The only run Rockford produced came in the fourth inning when Bjorstrand reached second from a single and then a wild pitch. Jordan Williams was able to knock him in by hitting a double.

Overall the Bandits offense was able to out hit the Huskies, but Hutchinson was able to string their offense together to get the runs needed for the win.

Friday, Delano 9 - Rockford 0

The Bandits were a little short-handed during Friday's matchup again the Delano A's. Lance Reynolds got the start for Rockford and went six innings, giving up seven earned runs off of ten hits, seven walks, one hit batter, and two strike outs. Jordan Williams then came in for relief and pitched three innings while giving up two earned runs off of one hit, four walks, and one hit batter.

Offense was a little quiet for the Bandits as well this game. The teams hits were well below the team average with only six. Haven Williams managed to get two hits while Jordan Williams, Bryan McCallum, Ian Keen, and Tom Traen all got one each.

Sunday, Maple Plain 6 - Rockford 2

The boys finished off regular season play with a loss to the Diamond Devils. The Bandits were able to jump on top first with two runs in the first inning, but that would be all Rockford could muster for the rest of the game. Offense was led by Anthony Brenner by get three hits (two doubles) and one RBI. Ben Fontana and Haven Williams each got a hit in the first inning. Fontana scored on a double play and Haven scored on a Brenner single. Jordan Williams got the Bandit's second triple of the season to lead off the eigth, but Maple Plain's pitcher was able to keep him there. Bryan McCallum and Tom Traen each got a hit during the game as well.

Travis Peterson was the starting pitcher and was able to battle through the sun and heat to throw eight innings. The Diamond Devils were able to take advantage of the walks while scoring five runs off of nine hits, eight walks, and one hit batter. Haven Williams closed out the game for the Bandits by throwing the ninth. The Devils tacked on one run from one walk and two hits off of Haven.

The Bandits close out the season with a 7-15 league record (8-15 overall). The first playoff game will take place on Saturday, August 1 in another showdown against the Maple Plain Diamond Devils. The game is initially scheduled to start at 4:00pm in Maple Plain.

The Rockford River Bandits traveled to Dassel-Cokato Sunday night and lost a needed game by a score of 6-4.

Travis Peterson gets the start on the mound for the Bandits. After giving up three runs in the first he settled down the next three innings. The River Bandits had an uncharacteristic 5th inning and they made four errors in a row that would allow three unearned runs and the runs that would eventually seal the deal for the Saints. Peterson pitched 5 complete innings giving up six runs (three earned) off of eight hits, two walks, and three punch-outs. Rookie Travis Bjorkstrand gets his first appearance on the bump as he throws out the remainder of the game. He held the Saints off giving up no runs, two hits, two walks, and three strike-outs in his three innings pitched.

The River Bandits offense was led by Anthony Brenner with two doubles, two runs scored, and one walk. Josh Green also got two hits in the contest along with one RBI. Peterson was able to get one hit and one RBI to try and help himself out. Jordan Williams and Donnie Mavencamp both each got a double and Andy Jorges also got a hit. The Bandits got eight hits against the Saints' ace along with four walks.

With the loss to D-C the Bandits are now 7-12 in league play and one game ahead of both Buffalo and D-C and five games ahead of Montrose-Waverly. With three games left in the regular season, Rockford will have their work cut out for them as they will play the 13-6 Hutchinson Huskies on Wednesday night in Cokato, the 13-6 Delano A's Friday night in Delano, and the 8-11 Maple Plain Diamond Devils Sunday in Maple Plain.