Feature Search

Intramural softball battles begins

  • Published
  • By Airman Basic Evan Carter
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Squadron and family members were hooting and hollering for their teams as Andersen's 2007 Intramural softball league regular season kicked off recently with a four-game opening night at the Arc Light Softball Field. 

The first game of the season pitted the 36th Services Squadron against the 36th Munitions Squadron team #1. It quickly turned into a one sided slugfest in favor of the 36 MUNS team. 

After five innings, an umpire called the game when the 36 MUNS team outscored their opponents by more than 15 runs, 20-2. In any intramural softball game, after five innings are played, a team can win by having 15 or more runs ahead of their opposition. Brian Manibusan and Tyler Harrill, 36 MUNS players, both tallied a home run apiece in the 15-run dismantling of the 36 SVS team. 

The 36 MUNS coach, Blaine Bagby, showed a smile after the game when he talked about his team's victory. 

"I was able to play all of our substitutions and see everyone in action," said Mr. Bagby. "We have 10-run ruled all but one opponent in the pre-season and regular season. We don't commit errors, we have good station to station hitting and we have solid defense. That's why we win games." 

The second game of the night was between 734th Air Mobility Squadron and the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Unlike the first game, these two teams played it close right to the end. 

Before the opening pitch, Chad Thomas, 734 AMS coach, told his team what they needed to do to win. 

"The main thing for us tonight is not committing errors, playing strong in the field and winning every inning at the bat," Thomas said confidently. 

After six innings of back and forth scoring and several lead changes, the 734 AMS team scored nine runs to give them a 23-18 lead. A closeout was needed by the 734 AMS team and that's what they did. Three consecutive outs ended the 36 LRS team's hitting streak and their victory hopes. The final score was 23-18. 

This was the second time the 734 AMS team defeated the 36 LRS team in the final inning. The previous time was in the pre-season tournament. 

A 36 LRS player wasn't happy after faltering in the last inning for the second time to the same team this year. 

"They never stopped playing hard and we had some errors in the end," said David Laun, 36 LRS player. "This is the second time they have beat us in this fashion. It was a painful loss." 

In later action, the 36 MUNS team #2 defeated the 36th Maintenance Squadron team and the 36th Contingency Response Group team defeated the 36th Communications Squadron team. 

The season will continue through July 10 with each team having 17 games.

 As seen in previous seasons, some teams (36 SVS) will have to grind it out and others (254th Air National Guard) will cruise, as this year's intramural softball league regular season is off and running.