ENID, OKLA. ? The 16-under Lawrence Bandits advanced to the championship game of the Mid-Plains Regional on Monday, where they lost, 8-2, to Lake Charles, La.

Earlier Monday, the Bandits beat Claremore, Okla., 5-3 in the semifinals. The championship berth marked a high point in Bandits history.

“No American Legion team from Lawrence had ever made it this far,” Bandits coach Brad Stoll said.

Travis Blankenship led Lawrence into the finals, earning the victory from the mound against Claremore. Lorenzo Ricketts was 3-for-5 in the Bandits’ win, and Travis Ice and Andy Petz each went 2-for-5.

The Bandits finished the season 33-13.