Bandits leave too many stranded

RICHLAND CENTER — The Bandits got on, but getting in was a different story.

The Baraboo American Legion baseball team had 15 base runners in seven innings — seven walks, six hits and two hit batters — but came up with just three runs in a 5-3 loss Wednesday.

"We were hitting the ball this weekend, and the hitting just dropped off — especially the timely hitting," Baraboo coach Craig Schlender said.

The struggle to get runners home started early for the Bandits.

They had two runners in each of the first two innings, then had the bases loaded with two outs in the third before walking away without a run.

Richland Center used the opportunity to take the early lead on a two-out rally.

After Baraboo pitcher Brady Olson gave up two walks and a single with two outs in the third inning, Richland Center's No. 4 batter hit a bases-clearing double to give his team a 3-0 lead.

The Bandits scored their first run in the top of the fourth, when Robbie Schultz drew a leadoff walk, moved to third on singles by Olson and Luke McGann, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ethan Dosier.

Richland Center took its biggest lead of the game by scoring a run in the bottom half of the fourth and adding another in the fifth to make it 5-1.

Olson went the first four innings before giving way to Jake Overlien, who finished the game.

"They put a few runs on the board, so we were playing catch-up," Schlender said. "Olson was doing a good job. We had kind of planned to split the game, and Overlien came in."

Olson allowed three hits and two walks, giving up four runs. Overlien allowed one hit and two walks, with his only run allowed coming on a home run in the fifth.

The Bandits put up their second run in the sixth inning, after Overlien led off with a walk and later scored on a single by Steven Lynch.

Down 5-2 heading into the seventh, Nick Labeots led off the frame with a triple and later scored on a ground out by Schultz, but that was the only scoring Baraboo could get out of the inning.

Leadoff hitter Jon Schlender wasn't in the lineup due to illness, and coach Schlender hopes his presence next game will help the team put up more runs.

"He kind of ignites the scoring, and we hope that he's better for the tournament because we need him in there," Craig Schlender said.

Baraboo's next scheduled games, a doubleheader against Middleton on Saturday, have been cancelled.

Schlender said he will use the time to see if the team can get its bats ready for the regional tournament, which begins Thursday.

"We're going to schedule a session of just hitting after the (JV) tournament is done (Saturday)," Craig Schlender said. "We're not going to work on anything but hitting."

Baraboo will play Sauk City in Holmen in the first round of the regional.

Baraboo 000 101 1 — 3 6 2

Richland Center 003 110 x — 5 4 0

Pitching: B — Olson 3h 2w, Overlien (5) 1h 2w; RC — Noble 4h 6w, Brandt 5h 2w.

Hitting: B — Labeots 1x3 3B; RC — Veith 1x2 HR, Brandt 1x2 2B.