New Hope Bandits

2002 Game Hi-Lites

08/05/02 Ross Larson records 7-inning "Perfect Game" as Bandits pummel the Grays 15-0.
On Sunday August 4th, Ross Larson recorded his 4th win of the season by pitching a 7 inning 15 to 0 perfect game over the Edina Grays. He needed just 30 pitches over 14 batters striking out 4.
08/03/02 Bandits lose a close one to Padres 3-2 
On Friday August 2nd, fan appreciation night, the final home game of the season the bandits lost a heartbreaker to the Eden Prairie Padres 3to 2. Marty Grotberg pitched a 5 hit 8 strikeout gem but one of the hits was a three run home run in the first inning by Dave Miller who also pitched a nice game.  the game featured Mick Dundee playing center field for the Padres and he even made a diving catch in the second inning while showing the fans how to do the "weed wacker".

A record breaking crowd of 67 were treated to a great baseball game which seems to be the trend between these two teams.

Final 2002 attendance : 233

Thanks to everyone who helped in the after game feast and who donated prizes. A special thanks to Ardel Hartwig who organized everything and to the "kempsman" for bringing the ice cream.

Well two more league games then the state tournament..... so let's go bandits!!!!

07/27/02 Bandits Slip Past Adrians 7-4 
On Saturday July 27th the Bandits traveled to South Minneapolis to play the Adrians and thru the heat,  then the cold,  wind,  and finally the rain, pulled out a 7 to 4 win. Leadoff hitter Doug Hartwig continued having a great season delivering in both the 1st and the 5th inning rallies. The big 5th inning featured back to back to back extra base hits by Ben Suapaia, Jim Dyvig and Mike Eicher knocking in 5 runs. Ross Larson pitched 7 innings giving up 3 earned runs and scattering 5 hits and ironman Marty Grotberg pitched the 8th and 9th to record his first save.
07/23/02 Bandits Split with "Blues" on "Nothing Night"
Tuesday night the Bandits beat the fiesty Brewers from Minneapolis 9 to 6 with Doug Hartwig, Scott Lawrence, Mike ( I can drill the third base coach ) Eicher, Ben Suapaia and Dan Headline all having multi hit games. Marty Grotberg scattered 9 hits thru 7 innings and Jeff Knutson recorded his first Bandit save.

In honor of the Brewers it was "Hamm's Beer Night". I hope everybody made it
home ok !!

Attendance was  21 with a Mike Nentl sighting in the crowd.
07/21/02 Bandits Split with "Blues" on "Nothing Night"
On Sunday July 21st the Bandits played a rare home and away double
header. In the first game the Bandits held on to win 10 to 7 on a grand salami by Bill Mlynarczyk in the second inning and a two run blast to widen the lead in the 8th by Mike Eicher.

In the away game, the Bandits never got on track offensively and the "Blues" came up with timely hitting throughout the game. 

The attendance at both games was 23 on "nothing night" bringing the season total to 145.

07/16/02 Bandits Fall in 11 innings to the Mayer Mudcatz on "Flashlight Giveaway Night"

Tuesday night July 16th the fans at Lighted Park were treated to a great extra inning game with the Mayer Mudcatz coming out on top 1 to 0 in 11 innings. Both teams had 4 and 5 scoring chances during the game only to be stopped by great pitching and defense. Marty Grotberg pitched all 11 innings for the Bandits scattering 6 hits while striking out 5.

Attendance at the game was 20 with Mayer bringing a nice contingent of fan supporters to the game on "Bandit Night Baseball Flashlite Giveaway Night".

07/12/02 Bandits Fall to Loretto 7-4 - Gulbrandson Finally Lays Down the "Perfect Bunt"

Tonight our Bandits took on the Lorreto Sox starting with both teams jumping out and scoring four runs in the first inning then settling down into a nice pitchers duel.

This beat reporter would like to go on record that when talking about highlights we give pitchers stats: strike outs, hits, runs allowed and hitters that get multiple hits with rbi's and extra bases but last night the highlight of highlights was in the 5th inning when Gary ( I can lay down a bunt so you third-basemen around the league better move up and play me on the grass) Gulbrandson had a perfect bunt down the third base line and beat in out for a single. The "suite night" enormous crowd of 38 lept to their feet with approval.

All I can say is baseball is a beautiful game and you'll never know what will happen

06/09/02 Bandits Top Grays 11-0 -Finally Move into the Win Column

This is the first report on your 2002 Bandits Your "beat writer" was on strike until the Bandits won a game !!

Well after a long road trip, cold nights and hard seats on a broken down bus and of course 3 losses to Eden Prairie, Lorreto and Anoka,  your boys of summer came home Sunday June 9th to take on the Edina Grays on "Bottle Opener Magnet Night". An un-usually large crowd of 17 saw Ross Larson throw a 2 hit shut-out in a 11 to 0 win. The bandits hammered out 16 hits, led by Gary Gulbrandson who put together a 3 for 3 afternoon. Dan Headline was 3 for 4 with a single, double and a triple while driving in 3 runs and lets not forget "old reliable" Mike Lehr who went 2 for 3 with a long homer in the second and with our measuring system at the ball park...... it was measured at a "long way".

Thanks to the "Bandit Babe" for passing out the magnets and schedules.

On the horizon ; away game at St. Louis Park on Wednesday June 12th.

Next home game Tuesday June 18th. A very specila nite is planned in honor of the new team in the league, the Minneapolis Adrians. It's "New Castle Beer Night"