2022 Bandits Sweep A’s in 40+ Fall Championship Series of Utah Adult Amateur Baseball League

Utah Adult Amateur Baseball League, 40+ Fall Division

Utah Bandits 9, A’s 7 (Game two in best of three championship series sweep)

Submitted by Tony Ortiz, Bandits manager

A battle against the Salt Lake A’s is what awaited the upstart Utah Bandits. After losing to the A’s in the Spring Championship Game, the Bandits wanted revenge. Along with my brother Andrew, we started the Utah Bandits to compete in the Utah AABL 40+ Division. Made up of veteran players from across the league we developed an unrivaled chemistry and that is what we rode to an amazing season.  We rode the team chemistry into a two-game double-header championship sweep of the A’s.

Game one saw the A’s jump to an early six-run lead in the top of the first. The Bandits cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first. The Bandits’ offense continued to hit the ball hard.  Andrew Ortiz, Dylan DeWaters, and Tiko Bohorquez each hit doubles, Chris Robert added a triple, and Dylan also hit a home run. Dylan, along with Dan Garcia and winning pitcher Carlos Palomo, led the way with three hits each. Carlos pitched seven strong innings and Dylan shut the door and earned the save in a 13-11 game one victory.

A win would get our revenge against the A’s in game two. Andrew Ortiz, Dan Garcia, and Carlos Palomo led the way with three hits apiece, with doubles from Carlos, Javy Villalobos, and Tiko Bohorquez. Dylan DeWaters rolled as the reliever in game one into the starter in game two. Dylan went four innings, allowing eight hits and six earned runs. Michael Herrera came in and allowed five hits and one run over the final five innings to seal the 9-7 victory and the championship. I am very proud of this team!! We had a blast!!