THE HEART OF A CHAMPION is always beating but it always remembers to beat AS ONE . . . We Pray that our Roots helped you find your Wings – – “That God will Fill your Heart with Dreams and that Faith gives you the Courage to Continue to do Great Things”. . . In 1993, Coach Mike coined the phrase “It’s a Great Day to be a Bandit” and it remains True Today – Bandit “Round-Up” Unite & Celebrate – Happy Birthday to Bandit Brycen Horn who turned 25 on Monday June 15 . . . Prayers for You and your entire Family. May the challenges that you encounter and meet head on reflect your resilience and persistence in being elite. Stay relentless in your pursuit of Excellence. You are a role model for those you know and probably for many you don’t know . . . Our Home Page Picture is of our First “Lil” Bandits Team in 2015 . . . “Prepare, Anticipate, Adapt, Care and Compete Relentlessly” . . . IRON SHARPENS IRON: “Life is not about getting what YOU deserve it’s about dealing with what YOU receive” – – Our Site now Offers Music, Click the tab to listen
Bandit Brycen Horn turned 25 on June 15. Brycen started the year for our 2014 undefeated League Champion Bandits as one of two 12 year olds on our 13U roster. Age was not a factor as Brycen emerged as the team’s top shortstop and a positive contributor for the offense. Brycen celebrated his birthday on the field at the USSSA State Tournament going 2X3, with a double, a run scored, an RBI, 3 defensive assists, 1 defensive put out and turned a double play with a diving stop catch of a line drive and throwing from his knees to double up the runner. Horn was one of the more naturally gifted athletes on the squad and was always a focal point in all the team’s practices and games. Brycen enjoyed a star football career in High School. “Happy Birthday” Brycen.
Matt Guerra turns 26 on June 30. “Matty” who is also known as “Captain” or “Cap” for short was a relentless force on the baseball field. One of the greatest work ethics that any Coach could hope for is what Matt provided. A constant source of positive energy and drive and a “will” to do better and accomplish more were trademarks of his play. Matt pitched, caught, played first base, third base and even helped in the outfield when needed as he did on the team’s tournament trip to Arizona. A power bat, a plus work ethic and a true great teammate. Just a “sheer pleasure” and joy to be around. Matt continued his baseball journey as a Catcher at Coronado High School where he earned All District honors. “Happy Birthday” Matt.
Hampton and Heaton Hughes celebrate their 17th Birthday on June 8. Both were championship members of our 8U “Lil Bandits” who played in the 8U Sportspark Select Coach Pitch League and started with our inaugural “Lil Bandits” T-Ball team. Heaton will be a graduate of the Class of 2027 from Coronado High School where he will have played varsity baseball for 3 years. “Happy Birthday” to the Hughes twins Heaton and Hampton!
Jonathan Bustamante turned 35 on June 8. Jonathan pitched in college and was a four year varsity baseball player at Montwood High School. Jonathan was the # 1 starter for the Rams for two years. Bustamante earned 5A All-District recognition three years in a row and garnered All City honors his final two seasons. Jonathan is also a member of our 2002 Bandit National Finalist for whom he pitched and played both corner infield positions. His brother Jesse is a member of our 2000 National Finalist. Happy Birthday Jonathan!
Carter Salome turned 16 on June 12. Carter was one of the youngest members of our championship “Lil” Bandits 8U team which played in the 8U Sportspark Select Coach Pitch League. “Happy Birthday” Carter!
Bandit Esteban Martinez turned 31 on June 12. Esteban was a member of our 9 and Under Bandit State Championship squad. Esteban batted lead-off and played center field. In 2014, Esteban earned District 2-4A First Team honors as a pitcher for Del Valle High School. He continued his athletic journey playing football and baseball at Sul Ross State University. “Happy Birthday” Esteban!
Bandits Flashback: 2000 National Regional Championship
Bandits Flashback – – March 10, 2000
The Bandits opened the 2000 season with their third consecutive trip to Tucson Arizona for the Triple Crown National Regional Tournament.
The first game saw the Bandits defeat Snoqualmie (suburb of Seattle) Washington 20-3. Jessie Bustamante tossed two innings and Jared Schrom tossed 2. Anthony Martinez went 3-3 with a home run and 4 runs scored; Dillon Smith was 2-2 with 2 runs and 2RBI’s; and Tommy Heck was also perfect at the plate going 1-1 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Robert Gallegos who also contributed a home run and Bustamante each went 3-4. Bustamante had 5 RBI’s. Willie Rueda was 2-4 and John Norris was 1-2.
Game 2 saw the Bandits defeat the Arizona Storm from Chandler 13-3. Dillon Smith tossed 6 innings as the Bandits overcame a early deficit and finished strong with a 8 run 6th inning. Heck was 1-1; Gallegos went 3-4; Martinez and Bustamante each went 2-4; and Norris and Jason Luna each were 1-2 at the dish.
In the final game of pool play the Bandits defeated Team Bike from Salt Lake City Utah 12-2. Rueda was 3-3, Bustamante 1-1, Martinez 3-4, and Gallegos was 2-4 to lead the offense. Rueda tossed the first 4 innings and Adam Lopez completed the game with one inning of work on the mound.
The Bandits met the El Paso Seminoles in the semi-finals and won 11-1. Gallegos was 2-2; Bustamante was 2-3; Smith,Luna and Rueda and Schrom each went 1-2. Bustamante worked 5 innings in the win.
The Bandits met the Utah Stars for the third consecutive year in the finals. In 1998 they won 21-1; in 1999 they lost 1-0 and in 2000 they triumphed again winning 17-0. Gallegos tossed 5 innings in the win. Gallegos was 3-3 and Jason Luna was 2-2 to lead the Bandits offensively. Norris, Schrom, Rueda and Martinez each went 2-3. Gallegos was named the tournament’s top defensive player and Rueda was named the tournament’s top offensive player.
Bandit May Birthdays
Bandit Cory Falvey turned 35 on May 9. Cory earned the 2009 Texas High School Player of the Year award becoming the only El Paso baseball player to ever earn the distinction, he was named Final 4 Texas State Championship MVP, he earned High School All State honors, was a multiple All City & All District Selection. Cory was 1 of 4 Bandits to play on the 2009 Texas High School 5A State Champions earning El Paso’s first High School State Baseball Championship since 1949. As a Bandit, Cory played all 3 outfield positions, played 3rd Base and pitched. Happy Birthday Cory!
“Lil” Bandit Julian Esparza turned 16 on May 10. Julian is a member of our 8U “Lil” Bandits who played in the 8U Sportspark League. Julian was named to the 7U Cloudview League All Star team for his Bandit team while he was still 5 years old. “Happy Birthday” Julian!
Bandit Joseph Gonzalez turned 33 on May 14. Joseph earned a varsity letter for each of his four high school seasons at Chapin High School as their starting catcher. His Huskies reached the playoffs all four years. Joseph received multiple 1-4A All District honors. Gonzalez knocked in Chapin’s final run of the 2011 season in their playoff loss and he did so on his birthday. He was a Bandit from age 8 playing with teammates who were always at least 2 years older than he. He was a left handed hitting middle infielder. Happy Birthday Joseph!
Bandit Brayden Peterson turned 26 on May 15. Brayden was a top of the rotation pitcher, who also played center field, third base and shortstop for his Bandit team. He emerged as the team’s lead-off hitter and worked hard not only as a hitter but also was a base runner setting the table for his Bandit teammates. Peterson completed his freshman season and sophomore seasons at Coronado High School earned a promotion to the Varsity as a sophomore. He was a starting pitcher for the T-Birds and earned All District Honors in his Senior season. Brayden is a College Graduate pursuing a Master’s Degree at Texas Tech University. Happy Birthday Brayden!
Bandit Josh “9’er” Bombach turned 26 on May 15. In the Summer of 2015, Josh was selected to the National Under Armour Select team. “9’er” was the Co-MVP in his freshman season on the Coronado High School JV. He pitched, caught, played third base, shortstop, second base and first base for the T-Birds and batted in the heart of the order finishing the season occupying the clean-up spot. In 2018, Josh completed 3 consecutive years of earning 1-6A All District recognition as a Pitcher. Josh pitched, caught, played shortstop and second base for his Bandits. Josh had a superior work ethic and was a positive personality and a great influence on his teammates. Josh completed his degree from the prestigious McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in May 2022. Happy Birthday “9’er.”
Bandit Mom Bonnie Aguilar celebrated her birthday on May 21. Mrs. Aguilar was a unconditional and supportive Mom to Bandit Jacob Aguilar who pitched and played infield for the Bandits and later went on to become a 2 sport (Football and Baseball) All City Honoree for Montwood High School. Jacob earned All Conference Honors on the field and Dean’s List Academic honors for St. Mary’s University from where he graduated. Bonnie and Bandit Coach John have never wavered in the support of older daughter Jennifer and Jacob. The competitive spirit in Jacob and Jennifer has been fueled by the vocal and highly visible support and unconditional love that Mrs. Aguilar has showered on her children. “Happy Birthday” Bonnie!
Ruben Archuleta turned 31 on May 28. Ruben was a two year player with the Bandits. He pitched, caught and played both corner infield positions for his team. Ruben was one of the hardest throwing and hardest working players on his team. He batted in the heart of the order for his Bandit teams. He pitched in the upper end of the rotation. Ruben was a three year starter at Del Valle High School. He continued his baseball journey pitching for Southwestern Christian University and El Paso Community College. He is also “gave back” to our Silver Anniversary Bandits by practicing and working out with them. “Happy Birthday” Ruben!
Pat Lopez celebrated her birthday on May 28. Pat is the Aunt to two of our Bandits who played on all three National Finalist squads. Adam Lopez played on our 1998 and 2000 squads while brother Justin played on our 2002 team. Pat has always strongly supported her nephews and their Bandit teams traveling to all of our local and out of town tournaments including our World Series ventures. She is a great Aunt to her nephews and a great supporter of their life journeys. Happy Birthday Pat!
Bandit April Birthdays
Bandit Matthew “Matty” Ortega turned 35 on April 2. “Matty” was a El Paso All City First Team and All District selection as an outfielder. He was a three year starter for the Montwood Rams. Matt is a member of our 2002 National Finalists and played the outfield, third base, second base and pitched for his Bandit teams. Happy Birthday “Matty”!
Bandit Mom Lisa Plummer celebrates her birthday on April 3. Lisa’s son Trey was a member of our 1997 AABC Texas State Champion, 1998 National Regional Champion and National Finalist team. Her late husband Coach Don Plummer was a coach on those highly successful Bandit teams and has been elected to the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025. “Happy Birthday” Lisa!
On April 9 Bandit Nathan Pena turned 34. Twenty years to the date of his birthday, Nathan was leading the Bandits to a tournament championship in Midland. Nathan caught, pitched and played all three outfield positions for his Bandit teams. In 2006, Nathan shared honors with a Bandit teammate as the “All Clarke” Boy for his eighth grade class. At Clarke, Pena played football, ran track, and played baseball as well as earning various academic honors and accolades. Nathan competed in Football, Baseball and Track at Americas High School. Tremendous bat speed and athletic gifts including outstanding foot speed helped Nathan rise quickly through his athletic career. Nathan was an outstanding teammate and a fierce competitor. We are Proud to have Nathan as a Bandit. Happy Birthday Nathan!
Bandit Tommy Valle turned 34 on April 19. Tommy has many personal interests and over the years studied and learned Karate (just a friendly reminder to his Bandit coaches and teammates); was involved in weight training (as if the Karate thing didn’t get our attention); and taught himself how to play the guitar. He was a solid A/B student in the classroom. By his pursuits, you can tell that he is a very disciplined and focused young man. Valle strives to lead and excel in whatever he pursues and is very conscientious in his approach to his endeavors. Tommy’s quiet exterior masked a fiery competitor on the inside. He graduated from Americas High School and continued his positive life journey at UTEP. Happy Birthday Tommy!
Bandit Coach Mark Dillon turned 78 on April 22. Coach Mark was the shortstop and top of the batting order star player for the 1965 Austin High School Panthers squad that went to the Texas High School Final 4 becoming only the second team from El Paso to do so. Coach Mark has helped Bandit teams ranging from age 5 to age 16. He was part of the staff that coached our 1998 National Finalists. His son Casey started playing with the Bandits at age 11. “Case” was the first player from outside East El Paso to play for the Bandits. He was a trailblazer in introducing westside players and Parents to “Bandit Ball”. This all started because of a comment to the effect of, “hey who’s the little piss-ant gringo out there?” Coach Mark’s response was “he’s my little piss-ant, what’s it to you?” Amazing how great things can get started because from then on Coach Mark and “Case” were Bandits. Coach Mark was also the proud owner of the first official “Bandit Mobile” or the “midnight (blue) express” that wore ruts in I-10 from Santa Teresa to the Plex… until it fittingly fell victim to some unscrupulous car-snatching banditos. Coach Mark continued to “pay it forward” by coaching our 8-year old “Lil” Bandits in 2018. Thank You for everything Coach and Happy Birthday!
