Bandits Take Playoff Opener, Win 13-9

Bandits outfielder Sam Spurney broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning with a towering Grand Slam homerun that cleared the left field fences as the Bandits won their 2011 Northeastern League Playoff Opener by a score of 13-9.  Chris Krepline started on the mound for the Bandits and tossed six innings to pick up the win, giving up five runs, four earned.  He struck out one and walked four.  He was aided by five double plays, four by the Bandits defense of Tommy Kawamura, Nat Richter and Mike Hall and one on a sensational catch and toss to third base by centerfielder Kevin Valerio.  Nate Shea pitched the final three innings to pick up the save.  Offensively the Bandits were led by Sam Spurney (3x4, GS HR, 2B, 6 RBIs),  Brock Wetenkamp (3x5, 2B, 3 Runs), Stewart Larsen (2x5) and Tommy Kawamura (2x4).  The Bandits now travel to Appleton for Game Two Saturday night at 5pm.  Game Three, if necessary, will be back in Manitowoc on Sunday night at 7:30pm.  The Sheboygan A's also won their playoff opener, by a score of 13-2 over Menasha and lead that series 1-0.