These Bandits couldn't get away with anything.

After putting up four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead over the Oshkosh Giants, it looked like Manitowoc could sneak away with the win.

But the only thing that snuck away was the ball over its first baseman's head in the bottom of the frame, allowing speedster Brandon Birschbach to score all the way from first to tie the game.

Oshkosh added another run in the inning and Cory Reiland came in to shut down the Bandits the next three innings, allowing the Giants to snatch a 7-6 victory at E.J. Schneider Field Tuesday in a Wisconsin State League baseball game.

"We got down but we didn't give up and kept battling," Giants field manager Brian Gerl said.

The Giants' four-run third inning put them in good position for the win. Paul Heinkel came up with the bases loaded and two outs, and deposited the ball to the right-field grass for a two-run single.

Heinkel went to the bank again in the fifth inning and cashed another run with a ground ball to first base that scored Brad Demmin and gave the Giants a 5-2 advantage.

"It helps when you have a guy step up like that and really contribute a lot to the game," Gerl said. "Clutch hits help a lot."

Manitowoc first got on the board with a Sam Spurney two-run homer off Ryan Kuepper that landed over the left-field wall and into the trees.

Oshkosh cracked its own goose egg in the third inning when Derek Hiroskey hit a sinking liner to right field that scored Jason Fosler.

At 7-6 after six innings, there was no reason to believe the game wouldn't continue at a high-scoring pace. But Reiland came in and only gave up one hit in the remaining three innings.

"It was great to see him throw well because he's struggled the last few times he'd been out," Gerl said. "He kept the ball down, threw strikes and battled every batter. He did a great job."

Game Ball: Paul Heinkel's three RBI led the Giants.

Numbers Game: 11 Bandits hits through six innings.

Oshkosh 7, Manitowoc 6

Manitowoc (16-9) 020 004 000 — 6 12 1

Oshkosh (13-5) 004 012 00X — 7 9 1

Pitchers — MAN: Josh Underkofler (4 1/3IP, K, 4BB), Greg Herr (3 2/3IP, 5K, 2BB). OSH: Ryan Kuepper (6IP, K), Cory Reiland (3IP). WP: Kuepper. LP: Herr

Hitters — MAN: Sam Spurney 1-4 (HR, 2RBI). OSH: Brad Demmin 3-4, Paul Heinkel 1-3 (3 RBI).

(Reprinted from The Oshkosh Northwestern)