Bandit February Birthdays
Bandit Mike Bolaski turned 33 on February 5. “Bo” was versatile and invaluable to his Bandit team playing pitcher, catcher, all four infield positions and even shoring up the outfield when needed. Mike has a tremendous work ethic for the game and a strong desire to be “great”. Bolaski was a clutch offensive threat batting in the middle of the order. He earned four varsity baseball letters, All State, All City and All District honors with the Hanks High School Knights. “Bo” was named to the high school Texas All State baseball team following his senior season. Michael signed to continue his baseball journey by accepting a scholarship with the El Paso Community College Tejanos but when the Major League draft called, he signed a professional contract. “Bo” signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday June 17, 2010. He was chosen during the 23rd round of the draft as a third baseman. In 2013, the Angels began the process of converting Mike to a pitcher. “Happy Birthday” Bo!
Bandit Niece Victoria “10’er” Gasca Hernandez turned 22 on February 10. Victoria is now in the final semester of her Senior Year at Yale University where she is going to graduate with Honors. Victoria won the Texas State Spelling Championship for Private Schools as a sixth grader and repeated her State Championship the next two years. In 2016, she finished in second place in the entire El Paso Times Regional Spelling Bee as a seventh grader. In 2019, Victoria was a member of the 6A UIL Spelling Texas State Championship Team at Coronado High School finishing 5th individually to lead her team. Victoria graduated from Coronado High School where she was in the National Honor Society, Chief Editor for the school newspaper for 2 years, National Honor Society member, Spanish Honor Society member, Head Coach for the El Paso National Hispanic Institute Chapter and # 1 rank on her school defending Texas State 6A UIL Championship spelling team. Oh yes and she is a young girl who continues to be accomplished and amaze all who know her because she is growing up without her Mom, Corina Maria Gasca Hernandez who joined our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom on Good Friday April 6, 2007 when “10’er” was 4 years old. Corina was a Bandit Aunt and Board of Director from the first moment the Bandits were formed in 1989 in support of her nephew our “Original Bandit” Champ Hernandez and her brother “Papa Bandit” Coach Larry Hernandez. Happy Birthday “10’er”!
“Happy Birthday” to Bandit Mom Gaby “Stix” Hernandez on February 13.
“Happy Birthday” to “Lil” Bandits Mom Melissa Monge! Her Son Jacob was a member of the original “Lil” Bandits and was selected as an All Star by the Southwest Baseball League.
Bandit Daughter Audrey Lauren Hernandez turned 15 on February 15. Proud Dad, Champ “The Original Bandit” Hernandez and Mom Kerry have seen the years fly by as Lauren charges into life. “Happy 15th Birthday” to Audrey who is in her Freshman Year of High School. Audrey earned 1st Chair in her All Region Choir in 2024 and All Region honors for the second consecutive year while in Junior High School. She also enjoyed 2 consecutive years of Cheerleading. Happy Birthday to Bandit Daughter and Granddaughter Audrey Lauren Hernandez.
“Happy Birthday” to “Lil” Bandits Mom Kim Capps on February 16! Her Son Nicholas whom she calls “Ni” was a member of our original “Lil” Bandits.
Bandit Jacob Aguilar a College All Conference Honoree and two-sport All City star at Montwood High School, turned 29 on February 18. He celebrated his birthday by going 3X3 in the 2014 high school baseball season opener. Aguilar played third base, short stop and pitched for his Bandit teams. He usually occupied the 3 or 4 hole in the batting order and was a top run producer for his teams. Jacob continues to display his multiple talents playing football, baseball and achieving high honors in the classroom as a member of his school’s National Honor Society. As a freshman, he led the Rams to a district championship as their quarterback. He played on the Montwood Baseball team as a sophomore. He shared quarterback duties on the Rams varsity football team as a junior before earning All District and All City honors as a senior signal caller. He led the Rams to a football first for Montwood when they defeated the Odessa Permian Panthers during the 2012 season. The honors and positive accolades continue for Jacob. In his senior season, Aguilar earned “All City” and “All District MVP” honors in football and baseball. Jacob as a freshman played first base and swung in the “heart of the order” for El Paso Community College and after playing his sophomore year in Junior College in Arizona he was the starting third baseman at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where he earned All Conference honors as a junior. He has also top honors academically earning recognition for his President’s Honor Roll listings. Jacob is a proud graduate of St. Mary’s University. “Happy Birthday” Jacob!
Bandit Lance Gruber turned 33 on February 20. Gruber was a four year letter winner at Americas High School. Lance earned All City and All District honors for the Trailblazers and helped the school earn its first baseball District championship. He signed a scholarship agreement after high school to continue his baseball journey at New Mexico Highlands. A injury during his college time shortened his baseball journey but his commitment to a college degree was fulfilled. On his Bandit teams, Lance was a top hitter, run producer and defensive stalwart usually hitting in the clean up spot. Lance pitched, played first base and the outfield showing his versatility and desire to help his teams be successful. Happy Birthday “Dakota”!
Bandit Coach Don Plummer celebrates his birthday in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom on February 20. Coach Plummer coached with the Bandits from 1996 through 1998. He was on our staff for our 1997 AABC Texas State Championship and 1998 Triple Crown National Finalist. Happy Heavenly Birthday Coach Don!
Bandit Jared Schrom turned 38 on February 23. Jared was a starting pitcher in the regular weekend rotation for Stephen F. Austin University. Jared was signed after college to play professionally by the Texas Rangers organization as a pitcher. Schrom continues to live in the Dallas Metroplex where he owns a nutrition store and works for the Texas Rangers organization. He is a member of our 2000 National Finalist. Jared pitched, played third base and the outfield for his Bandit teams. His father Ken was a coach on our Bandit staff and pitched for nearly a decade in the Major Leagues for the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. Schrom continued his baseball journey working with the Texas Rangers organization and now directs site venues near the Ballpark in Arlington. Happy Birthday Jared!
“Lil” Bandit Jacob Monge turned 15 on February 23. Jacob started play with our original T-Ball team which evolved into Coach Pitch earning All Star status in the Southwest Baseball League. “Happy Birthday” Jacob!
“Happy Anniversary” to “Lil” Bandits Founder Marcella and Coach Charlie Bombach on February 25
Brock Henthorne turned 15 on February 26. Brock joined our “Lil” Bandits for the Spring Season of Coach Pitch in 2016. He earned All Star status with our Coach Pitch team in the Southwest Baseball League. “Happy Birthday” Brock!
Bandit Dad Victor Falvey turned 69 on February 28. His Son Cory played as a Bandit. Victor took a squad of 13 and 14 year olds including his Son Cory and formed the Desperados. That squad would become the foundational component for the Socorro High School Bulldogs 2009 State Championship baseball team. Cory earned All State honors, multiple All District and All City honors and became the first El Paso High School Player to earn Texas State High School Player of the Year honors in 2009. The Socorro Bulldogs became the first team in 60 years from El Paso to win the State Crown and only the second high school team from El Paso to claim the State Championship. Victor has been running USSSA Youth Baseball tournaments in El Paso, Ruidoso, Alamogordo, Hobbs, Las Cruces and Midland since 2000 promoting and elevating youth baseball to national levels. He has been named National USSSA Tournament Director of the Year and continues to support the promotion of baseball players to continue their baseball journeys in High School, College and the Professional ranks. “Happy Birthday” Coach Vic!
