GRAVETTE — The Bandits, a 10U softball team from Gravette, advanced to the semi-finals of the 2012 USSSA age-10-and-under World Series Tournament held recently in Branson, Mo., where they were undefeated in six games, beating teams from Omaha, Neb., St. Louis, Osage Beach and Kansas City, Mo., Pine Bluff and North Little Rock.

They dropped their final two bracketed gamesto the two teams which finished first and second in the tournament: Oklahoma and Mississippi State, respectively.

The Bandits were proud of their third place finish and, particularly, slugger, third baseman Hannah Cole, who was awarded Tournament Offensive MVP honors. She hit .400 in the tourney, including two singles, three doubles, one triple and two home runs. She had eight RBIs and scored 11 runs.

On defense, Cally Kildow pitched eight complete games and posted a 1.62earned run average for the series, in which she struck out 64 batters in 44 innings while allowing only eight walks.

Catcher Bailey Elmore and the entire Bandit defense played very well in support of Kildow.

Season Record

The Bandits wrapped up a fantastic season overall, 27-15 for the year. They played their way into five tournament championships during the season, winning two - Russellville’s “Rumble on the River” and the “NorthwestArkansas Shoot-out” in Bentonville. They brought home the “Runner-Up” trophies for the annual “Fayro Classic” in Springdale, the “Slugfest Opener” in Joplin and the “Vinita (Okla.) 10&U.”

This group of young ladies began playing together as a team last August through October and picked back up in February, working non-stop through the end of July. Their third place, out of 24 teams, finish at the USSSA 10U-B World Series was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

News, Pages 9 on 08/01/2012