Bandits split with Three Rivers

By LYNN WOMACK
Press special writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS July 18, 2008 12:28 pm

— The Oklahoma Bandits American Legion Baseball squad split a double-header with Three Rivers American Legion, winning the opener 9-3, then losing the nightcap 5-2 Thursday.
The Bandits scored five runs in the second inning upping the lead to 8-1. Greg Jackson led off the inning with a walk, then Wes Newman sent him home with a homer, to give the Bandits 5-1 lead. Jason Travis made back-to-back homers to give the Oklahoma Bandits a 6-1 lead.
Josh Linn the reached on an error, then came home on Brad Shankle’s double. The final run was scored as Shankle came to the plate on Brandon Espinal’s double.
The Bandits had taken a 3-1 lead in the first inning as Shankle’s bases-loaded walk forced Newman home. Phil Correa sent Jason Travis and Linn with a two RBI single. Jason Travis had singled and Linn walked to reach base. The Bandits added a run in the fourth inning, as Linn led off the inning with a homer for a 9-2 lead. Three Rivers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Trevor Bowden had a solo homer. They made it 8-2 in the fourth inning as John Frisby singled and scored on an error. Three Rivers picked one more run in the seventh as Brandon Vogt reached on an error and scored Bowden’ single.
Jason Travis was the starting pitcher and winner going five innings with six strike outs. He is now 5-2 for the season. Jason Travis faced 23 batters. Jarrett Travis finished the game going the last two innings facing nine batters with five strike outs.
Newman went 3-4, and Jason Travis was 2-4 for the hitting stars of the game.
The Bandits spotted Three Rivers a run in the top of the first, then tied the score at one as Jarrett Travis sent Nate Linch home on a single. Linch had singled the lead off the inning. Cameron Summers had given Three Rivers the lead in the top of the innings with a single that scored Keith Fields who had singled.
The Bandits took a 2-1 lead in the fourth as Espinal’s double scored Chase Goodnight who had singled.
That is the last run the Bandits would score as Three Rivers reeled off four unanswered runs. Summers’ RBI single sent Fields home in the fifth to tie at two ,then Korey Keith scored foe a 3-2 lead as he came home on Austin Evans’ sacrifice bunt. Three Rivers scored the final two runs of the in the seventh as Bowdan led off the inning with a walk and scored on an error. Summers also walked then scored on Mike Harris’s Scarface bunt.
Wayne Coldwell went the full seven inning to take the lose, facing 34 batters and seven strike outs. His record fall to 5-4 for the season. The hitting stars for the Bandits were Espinal going 3-4 and Goodnight was 2-2.
The Bandits are 25-11 and Three Rivers is now 18-12 for the season.
The Bandits next game will be Monday at Rogers, Ark., for a 6 p.m. doubleheader.