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116th MXS overcomes early deficit to repeat as intramural softball champs

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  The 116th Maintenance Squadron battled back from a 10-0 deficit to capture its second straight intramural softball tournament, defeating the 5th Combat Communications Squadron, 18-16, on July 22.

The championship game got off to a great start for the 5th CCG.. The team opened the game with five straight hits and knocked nine singles in the first 10 at bats to jump out to a 10-0 lead.

116th MXS pitcher Russ Hearst said he wasn't worried about giving up a big lead at the start of the game.

"It's a seven inning game. This team has played enough and seen enough that 10 runs isn't going to rattle us in the beginning," Hearst said.

So the team began chipping away at the lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning off home runs by Hearst and Gregiore Clements. It was an offensive spark that carried the team for several innings.

"We knew we had the offense to come back," Clements said. "We weren't worried when they jumped out to a big lead. We knew we could fight back and score runs every inning and chip away at the lead."

The defense tightened up, surrendering only six runs throughout the rest of the game and the offense took care of the rest. Hearst and Clements hit a second home run apiece and a seven-run third inning propelled the 116th MXS to a 16-12 lead.

"We were quick out of the gate but couldn't maintain that momentum," said George Broussard, pitcher for the 5th CCG. "They are a good team and a couple of innings we gave them too many runs. But we are proud of the way we played."

The 5th CCG kept the game close, surrendering only two runs in the final three innings on defense. But the bats went a little cold and they couldn't get the necessary runs across the plate. The team's last chance come back was stifled when Clements, playing shortstop, made a great defensive play to end the game.

Leonard Quinton, coach for the 116th MXS, said he is proud of the way his team played all season.

"Our advantage is continuity; the nucleus of our team has been together for 12 years," he said. "Our motto is teamwork and we do a great job of picking each other up. "

Although the intramural season is over, the 116th MXS will continue to play. They will travel to Panama City, Fla. Aug 6-10 to compete in the 43rd Annual Air National Guard softball tournament.