Bandits 13U Go from “worst to First” with Championship “Run”
On Wednesday June 29, the Bandits completed a “worst” to “first” turnaround with a dominating 8-0 championship game performance. The Bandits 13 and under baseball squad went through the league playoffs with a perfect 3-0 record. The Bandits were 3-17 in the 2004 Fall session and followed with a 40-14 Spring 2005 record. Great work ethic and a committed group of Bandits made this turnaround possible. As the saying goes, its not where you start, its where you finish and you guys finished number 1.
The Bandits won all three playoff games they played. Runs were always a “premium” for the Bandits who were “offensively challenged” the entire year. Exceptional starting pitching and aggressive defense led the way. The Bandits employed “small ball” to compensate and executed much better as the year went on. Of the three playoff games, 2 were decided by 1 run and in the final inning. The Bandits allowed only 4 runs total in their playoff games. Bandit pitchers allowed only 1 walk and 1 hit batsman during this span. Bandit pitchers finished strong tossing 2 consecutive, complete game shutouts in the semi-finals and Championship game.
On Sunday June 19, Eric Stoltz got a walk-off base hit in the last inning to propel the Bandits to a 5-4 victory over the Blazers. The Bandits trailed 4-1 going into the fifth inning when Josh Avalos hit a three run home run over the center field fence to tie the game. Garrett Lewis had walked to lead off the final inning and scored the winning run on Stoltz’ hit. Chris Rubio led the offense going 2X3. Kyle Bumpas struck out 10, walked 1 and battled throughout the game for the win.
On Wednesday June 22, Brian Hebblethwaite pitched a complete game shutout striking out 4 with no walks in a 1-0 win over the Indians. The Bandits again scored the winnng run in their final at bat when Mark Gandara scored on a misplayed ground ball off the bat of Nathan Volpi. Gandara singled to lead off the seventh inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a bunt single by Hebblethwaite before Volpi brought the run home. Kyle Bumpas and Hebblethwaite both went 2X3. Bumpas also added 3 stolen bases to his effort. Gandara and Hebblethwaite also swiped bases during the encounter. The game finished before a packed house since it was the final game of the evening and the 0-0 score through six frames kept and gained fans interest.
On Wednesday June 29, the Bandits rode the arm of Kyle Bumpas who pitched a 5 inning complete game shutout with 13 strikeouts and no walks allowing only 2 hits. The Bandits 8-0 victory over the Blazers came after the Blazers had defeated the Indians 5-3 in the semi-finals. Josh Avalos provided a bases loaded triple in the 5 run second inning to give the Bandits the cushion necessary for the championship. Matthew Sosa started the second inning with a double and set the stage for a “big inning” which was followed by base hits by Adriel Licon and Chris Rubio sandwiched by a walk earned by Nathan Volpi.
