River Bandits lose in USABA World Series

The Western Nevada River Bandits were no-hit in an 8-0 loss to Kennewick, Wash. on Saturday in the USABA 17 and under World Series in Pasco, Wash.

Earlier in the week, the Bandits had beaten Kennewick 13-12 in round robin play. Kennewick was last year's USABA 15 and under World Series champion and features many players from that team.

Western Nevada looked to be off to a strong start when second baseman Matt Bowman of Dayton made an outstanding defensive play, making a diving catch of a line drive up the middle. Bowman then doubled off the runner at first.

But Kennewick followed with back-to-back home runs to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The River Bandits' only rally came in the third when Thomas Farmer of Spanish Springs and Carson High's Aaron Henry were hit by pitches.

The game ended in the bottom of the fifth when Bowman came in with the bases loaded and two outs. Bowman induced a popup that landed in right field for a bloop single that scored two runs. When the River Bandits tried to throw the runner out at third, a third run scored when the throw got away and the game was called due to the eight-run rule.

The River Bandits need to win twice today to advance to Monday's championship round.