Bandits/Cavs Split

MANITOWOC Joe Christensen tossed a four-hitter and the Manitowoc Bandits broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning to claim a 3-1 win in the first game of a Wisconsin State League doubleheader against Eau Claire at Municipal Field on Saturday.

The Cavaliers came back in the second game to earn the split with a 6-2 win.

Christensen walked two and struck out eight in the game and has yet to allow an earned run in 11 innings of work this season. The Cavaliers scored an unearned run off the lefty in the top of the fourth.

Kyle Schroeder scored in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game and the Bandits took the lead for good with a two-out rally in the fifth.

Doug Bloom started things when he was hit by a pitch. He then stole second base and scored on Nat Richter’s single. Richter, who also swiped second base, then scored when Schroeder ? who was 2-for-2 ? ripped a base hit.

The Bandits (3-2 overall, 1-1 in the WSL) never led in the nightcap, although Richter’s two-run home run knotted the game at 2 in the third inning. Eau Claire took the lead for good with a single run in the fifth and then tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh,

Mike Miller was 4-for-4 for the Cavaliers.

Jayme Sukowaty took the loss for the Bandits, allowing 11 hits and six runs ? five earned ? while striking out three and walking two.

The two teams will wrap up their weekend series with a doubleheader today at Municipal Field. The first game is slated to begin at noon.