Playing their best softball of the entire year, the Tucson Bandits came up a couple of runs short, and finished second in the Winter Worlds in Las Vegas last weekend.
Friday morning saw the team beating newly refurbished LAF, then nipping Four Seasons and earning the number two seed. This allowed DC to attend the Santana concert without feeling guilty for missing a game.
Saturday morning the Bandits came out sluggish and only scored only 8 runs in losing to the Barcelona Bandits 11-8. This would mean a long road back through the losers bracket, something that the team was more than up to.
Starting with a whipping of Wong's, the Bandits proceeded to roll through Wilson Trophies and the Las Vegas 50's.
Sunday morning was a rematch with the Barcelona Bandits. No contest this time around. After crushing Barcelona, it was another rematch with LAF who was also on a roll. Again, no contest. 34-10 Bandits.
A nail biting one run extra inning win over Doubleplay was next. Highlighted by a super relay throw to the plate by Mike Swank to Mike Gerber cut down the lead run! The Bandits then scored one in the bottom of the 8th for the win.
Next up was undefeated Texas Barracudas. Two evenly matched teams battled it out. Deja Vu all over again as the lead run was once again cut down at the plate. The Bandits again scored one in the bottom of the inning for the win.
It was now time for the "if" game. All other teams had left the complex. It was dark and cold. Only the two best teams remained. Another great game with home runs disappearing into the darkness. Line drive doubles off the 30' tall fence. Once again it came down to the bottom of the 7th inning and the Barracudas scored one to win it all. The Bandits had come up short.
But it was a fantastic weekend. The Bandits welcomed new players, Kenny "Smooth Operator" Hill, Jeff "Two Words" Marine, and Jim Riley. Also, Ricky "Bobby" Lee joined us for his second tournament of the year.
I see very good things for 2010. Happy Holidays to all.
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