For a team that has over 150 homeruns for the season, only 4 homeruns for a six game tournament is not a misprint.  With fields over 350 feet, Blake Richards and Bryce Packard started the homerun challenge off on the first day with shots to deep left field.  Their hitting power coupled with their speed allowed each player to score in-the-park homeruns.  On day two, Ishmael Edwards lead the hitting show with a legitimate homerun to left field in a stadium built as a scale replica of “the House that Ruth Built”, Yankee Stadium.   On Day three Blake Richards went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI’s and another legitimate homerun 350 feet to the upper deck of left field.  For the entire five day tournament, the Banditos hit for a .571 hitting average and a staggering .820 slugging average.

The Banditos have a proven powerful hitting lineup however you can’t overlook their pitching staff.  On day one Bryce Packard and Gabe Klobosits shared the mound to throw a 2 hit shut-out.  On day two Chris Cavazos threw a “no – no” with 11 strike-outs.  Packard and Klobosits teamed up again on day three to hold their opponents to a .176 hitting average and secure another win.  Out of pool play the competition started to heat up with Aric Rodriguez and Ishmael Edwards holding off their opponents for a 17-5 win.  In the semi-finals on day five Blake Richards threw a shut-out with only 46 pitches to allow his team to run-rule their opponent in only 3 innings of work. 

The final game against a familiar foe, the Texas Bombers proved to be a nail bitter.  Chris Cavazos started for the Banditos going 3 and 2/3 innings of work.  Aric Rodriguez came in for relief and was challenged by the Bombers giving up 5 runs.  Behind by one run, Klobosits came in to retire the side.  At the bottom of the sixth inning the Bombers lead 8-7.  Kyle Pinson stepped into the box to lead off with a walk.  Klobosits followed with a single and Richards drove in Pinson with a shot to center field to tie the game.  Ishmael Edwards stepped into the box and advanced to first when hit by the second pitch.  With the bases loaded and no outs, Bryce Packard came to the plate.  Packard connects with a single to right field advancing Klobosits to home winning the game for the Banditos 9-8.  The Texas Bombers were very challenging opponents acquiring 11 hits off of Banditos’ pitchers.  Congratulations to both teams for a well played game.

The next stop for the 12U Banditos Black will be a trip to Orlando for the Elite 24.  The Banditos are considered the favorites to bring home the gold.  This should be a great event.  Stay tuned to TBS for updates and scores as they come in.

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