Pueblo Bandits Palm Springs Classic Report
The Pueblo Bandits management and players would like to extend a WARM thank you and congratulations to the SoCal Bombers s for a job well done on and off the field this past weekend in Palm Springs. Triple digit temperatures and a couple of key plays in the final are all that prevented a perfect weekend for the Bandits. While missing Cliff Wisdom and Mark Moziejko on the weekend the Bandits came together in the field and at the plate to show they are poised to improve on their twelfth place finish last year at the ISC and to prove their initial #18 ranking this season may be a bit low.
Against a solid field of ISC ranked teams, the Bandits posted a 4-1 record on the weekend. With wins of 2-1 over the host Bombers, 5-0 over Team Rainey, and 9-1 over the Lumberkings on Saturday, the Bandits entered Sunday as the number one seed. Dominating pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting were the order of the day for the Bandits. Not to mention a breakout performance by Bandit shortstop Lauro Felix who was amazing in the field all weekend and equally impressive at the plate with four home runs in the five games played.
A no hitter, and 4-0 win by Manley and the Bandits in the semi final game over number 8 ranked Circle Tap set up the rematch against the Bombers, who defeated Portland 5-0 in the other semi final. With temperatures over 100 degrees, Manley allowed only his second earned run in five games on a close play at the plate. The young hurler exited and the Bombers put the game away securing a 7-0 victory after posting a few more runs on Bandit relievers.
In short, the Bandits look good early in 2006 and are in action this weekend as they host the Joe Santos Memorial Tournament in Pueblo, Colorado.
Mike Kelley
mkelley@frontier-radio.com
