Bandits drop pair to Kenosha

The Manitowoc Bandits dropped a pair of games in Sunday’s doubleheader with the Kenosha Kings, falling in Game 1, 3-0, and 9-8 in Game 1.

In Game 1, two-time Wisconsin State League Pitcher of the Year Randy Johnson stymied the Bandits bats for all seven innings while registering 11 strikeouts.

Bandits starter Andrew Doring, matched him inning-for-inning until the bottom of the fifth. A leadoff walk to Mark Cibrario and a double by Kyle Frye would plate the Kings’ first run and a single by Andrew Highland would plate the second.

Kenosha added an insurance run in the sixth on a solo homerun by Billy Johnson.

The Bandits were led offensively by Nick Motsinger, Andrew Wilson, Brad Breier, Andrew Doring and Thomas Wakem who each recorded one hit.

In Game 2, the Bandits trailed 8-4 going into the bottom of the sixth when Bandits second baseman Anthony Pitsch launched a line drive over the left-field fence for a game-tying grand slam.

The teams would each go scoreless in the seventh inning, sending the contest into extra frames.

In the top of the eighth, Kenosha would pick up a lead-off walk and advance on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a fielder’s choice.

That run would prove to be the difference as the Bandits stranded a pair of runners in the bottom of the eighth.

Marshall Zahn took the loss after pitching the final three innings in relief of starter Brennan Rhode. Rhode gave up eight runs, three earned, over five innings.

The Bandits are home on Tuesday and Thursday night this week as they host the Green Bay Storm and Appleton Legends at 7:30pm on each night.

Story by: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter