2020 Bandits Capture 18+ Tournament Title at Mid-Iowa Baseball League in Des Moines

Mid-Iowa Baseball League, 18+ Division Tournament Champions

Mid-Iowa Bandits 13, Des Moines Thunder 3

Submitted by Brent Henderson, Bandits manager

What a wild ride this year was. Man, I’m so grateful for all the hard work the Mid-Iowa Baseball League put in this season to make sure we hit the field. Lots of obstacles, but even more determination and perseverance. Our story would go as follows.

The 2020 Mid-Iowa Bandits caught fire down the stretch then cooled off Des Moines Thunder in an epic showdown for the league title. 

The Bandits versus the Thunder is the best rivalry in the 18+ Division.  It all came down to one final game to decide the championship. The Thunder came into the game 11-0 looking to cap off a perfect season. But the Bandits, 8-3 on the year, jumped out early and never looked back, cruising to a 13-3 victory. 

Matt Pennings, pitching in his first game since recently recovering from Covid-19, held the Thunder in check for six innings. The Bandits lineup brought out the big sticks when it mattered most, pounding out 17 hits and stealing nine bases. This is the Bandits third title in 12 seasons in the Mid-Iowa Baseball League and the first since 2017.