March Bandit Birthdays:

Corina Maria Hernandez Gasca’s birthday is March 1. After 7 plus years of battling 3 bouts of breast cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, back problems and new cancer growths in her lungs and kidneys Corina Maria Hernandez Gasca joined our Lord’s starting line-up on “Good Friday” April 6, 2007. Corina was with the Bandits “Day One, Minute Two” and was our scorekeeper from 1989 to 1995. She was a tremendous Friend to many as evidenced by the outpouring of her support groups. She was a diligent Daughter, a loving Aunt and a fiercely protective Sister for 42 years. Corina was born on March 1, 1965. She was a devoted Wife and inspiring Mother to now 21 year old Victoria Elisa. After 3 years of battling cancer and investigating adoption options, Corina again beat all odds and had a daughter while in a brief period of remission. Victoria (Victory) was named for the personal triumph that Corina and her husband Luis felt after overcoming almost insurmountable odds. A week later she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For 4 years she celebrated life and her daughter’s birthdays while balancing chemo and radiation treatments. Her journey to beat cancer took her to M D Andersen in Houston, the Mayo clinic and Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Corina graduated from Burges High School in 1983 and she went back to school after her marriage and graduated from UTEP. A school teacher who started her education career teaching at Ft. Hancock commuting daily. Her final stint was at MacArthur School which she attended as a student from first to eighth grade. Life is a circle and Corina started and finished her education at MacArthur. On Good Friday April 6, 2007 she was called to join Heaven’s Angels. Her then 4 year old daughter Victoria attended Mommy’s services but always with the casket closed because she has been told that her “Mommy” is with the Angels and the concept of her being told that and then seeing her Mom’s body in a casket would be too much for her to bear. Corina continues to leave an example for many to emulate and a life so filled with inspiration that she will never be forgotten. Now she has passed the baton of her legacy to Victoria Elisa Gasca who will be everything her “Mommy” taught her to be and will continue to nourish and nurture Corina’s hopes and dreams for now 21 year old Victoria and Luis. Victoria celebrates her birthday on the 10th of February which is why we call her “10’er.” Victoria won the school spelling bee at St. Clement’s four years. In 2015 she earned the Texas State Private School State Spelling Championship and in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 she added the UIL State Spelling Bee Championship to her resume. She plays the piano and is an extremely high academic honoree. Victoria continued her high academic honors in the IB curriculum honors program, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Editor in Chief of the school newspaper at Coronado High School and Director Coach for the El Paso Chapter of the National Hispanic Institute. She was named to the Coronado High School “Who’s Who” for 2021. She is in her third year as a Junior at Yale University.

Bandit Coach Brian Forrister turned 48 on March 3. Coach Brian began helping coach Bandit teams while still in high school. Though he played baseball in the El Paso youth leagues, he excelled in soccer. He was the Captain of his Hanks High School soccer teams and played on the varsity since his freshmen year. He led Hanks to District, Bi-District, Area and Regional Championships. He was named to the All City team on numerous occasions and was the Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player for the entire city of El Paso. After graduation, he focused his competitive fires coaching the Bandits. In 1998, he coached a Bandit team to the “Miracle in the Desert” championship of the prestigious High Desert Classic in Albuquerque New Mexico. His Bandit team was composed of high school juniors, sophomores and even a freshmen and they took on all comers including select travel teams from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico and defeated them all. What makes the championship more impressive is that his Bandit team defeated teams from different states composed of college freshmen, junior college players and high school seniors. Coach Brian now resides in Deer Park Texas and is truly missed. He truly cares about our Bandits as witnessed by his trips to Austin, Dallas and the Houston area to cheer and support Bandits playing high school and college baseball. Happy Birthday Coach Brian!

Bandit 2002 National Finalist and 2009 Socorro High School Texas State Champions “Ace” Pitcher Bobby Mares turned 33 on March 5. Bobby was the top of the rotation Pitcher for our Bandits and played both corner infield positions as well as Catcher on his Bandit championship teams. Mares is a member of our 2002 Bandit National Finalist Team in Little Rock Arkansas. He and his Mom Anita were and continue to be supportive of our Bandit teams and players. Bobby also batted in the heart of the order for his Bandit teams providing key and clutch offensive production as a RBI and run scoring producer. Mares earned a Texas High School All State Selection in 2009 after pitching the Bulldogs to a complete game Final 4 Semi-Final victory. Bobby continued his baseball journey after high school pitching for the University of New Mexico Lobos in the Mountain West Conference earning key conference clinching victories. Happy Birthday Bobby!

Coach Larry “Papa Bandit” Hernandez turned 69 on March 6. “Happy Birthday Papa Bandit”!

Bandit Anthony Martinez turned 37 on March 6. Anthony is a member of our 2000 National Finalist for whom he played catcher, the outfield, third base and pitched. He was our 3 hole hitter known for his outstanding bat speed. Martinez was quick afoot as well and was among the team leaders in batting average, RBI’s and stolen bases. Anthony went to Montwood High School where was an All District and All City Selection and was inducted into the National Honor Society as well. After high school, Anthony enrolled at El Paso Community College where he spent two years making the All Conference team and continued to be a high academic achiever in the classroom. Anthony earned a baseball scholarship from the University of New Mexico Lobos playing the outfield and earning a degree from the Mountain West Conference member. He is in El Paso with his wife raising his Daughter and Son. Happy Birthday Anthony “Birthday Boy” Martinez!

Bandit Jonathan Martinez turned 29 on March 14. Jonathan played with the Bandits for two years and was the most improved player on his team over that period. Martinez played second base and all three outfield positions as well as taking a turn on the mound on occasion. Jonathan showed a dramatic improvement at the plate emerging as a consistent and dependable hitter and run producer. Martinez had a great work ethic which provided a positive foundation for his eventual success. He played both football and baseball at Bel Air High School. Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Cynthia “Sam” Dillon’s birthday is on March 18. Coach Mark’s wife was always supportive of Casey and Coach Mark’s endeavors with the Bandits. She passed away in 2008 and we miss her.

Alejandro “Alex” Guadian turned 14 on March 22. Alex  joined the “Lil” Bandits to play in the 8U Coach Pitch Select League. Alex’s Dad (Ruben) played against the Bandits as a young boy and with many of the Bandits during his High School career at Hanks. “Happy Birthday” Alex!

“Happy Birthday” to “Lil” Bandit Mom Amber Montion on March 26

“Happy Birthday” to “Lil” Bandit Rhyan Calderon who turned 14 on March 31