Airman 1st Class Devante WilliamsAlexander Balok, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, slides into third base during the softball championship Dec. 6 at Luke Air Force Base. The MDG softball team defeated the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 14-7.
MDG dominates AMXS in championship
The 56th Medical Group softball team defeated the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 14-7 during the intramural softball championship Dec. 6 at the Luke Air Force Base Bryant Fitness Center softball field.
AMXS opened the game by scoring two runs in the first inning off of a triple by Robert Davis.
MDG answered back by tying the game at two in the bottom of the inning.
“When AMXS scored two runs in the top of the first, it put pressure on us to answer back,” said Alexander Balok, 56th MDG. “Once we put two on the board, we figured it was a 0-0 game and went from there.”
AMXS opened the second inning looking strong with back-to-back singles putting runners on first and second. Once the third batter walked into the box, MDG stepped up their defense, caught a pop fly and completed a double play to end the top half of the second.
MDG closed the second with a double, followed by a single putting the runners on the corners. Bret Toliver, MDG, hit an RBI single into center giving MDG the lead 3-2. The team scored two more runs before the final out putting MDG up 5-2.
In the top of the third, AMXS answered back by scoring two runs bringing them within one run.
Balok extended MDG’s lead by one before the third ended after popping out into center field making it 6-4.
Both teams played tough defense during the fourth inning as neither team scored.
AMXS continued to struggle with MDG’s tough defense in the fifth inning as they were not able to put any runs on the board.
MDG’s players connected with the ball multiple times during the bottom of the fifth as they added five runs to their score extending their lead to 11-4.
The AMXS batters couldn’t find open areas in the field during the sixth as only one batter was able to get on base before the third out was called.
Balok hit the ball off the fence in left field in the bottom of the sixth to score three runs for MDG, but was called out sliding into third base to bring the inning to a close.
The seventh inning began by hitting AMXS a single into center field. The second batter hit a double down the third baseline to drive in a run making it 14-5.
The next batter hit a single to put runners on first and second, with two outs to go. The next batter hit an RBI single. The sixth batter followed by hitting another RBI single to put runners on the corners making it 14-7.
The seventh AMXS batter hit a grounded out into a double play to end the game and give MDG the victory.
“We just didn’t hit the ball in the right areas,” said Gregory Arnolds, 756th AMXS. “I think if we hit the ball on the ground more, we might have had a better chance.”
MDG relied on their ability to play and the team’s cohesiveness to win the championship.
“On the offensive end, we brought our bats when we needed to and played tough defense the whole game,” Balok said. “Winning the championship feels amazing because we’ve played together for several years.”
Holiday jingler
The holiday jingler golf tournament is 8 a.m. Dec. 23 at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. The costs are $47 per member, $52 per nonmember and $57 per guest, and include green fees, range balls, cart rental, lunch and prizes. Register to play by Wednesday. For more information, call (623) 535-9334.
New Year’s Eve
Thunderbolt Lanes is featuring a New Year’s Eve Party 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 with a DJ, bowling, party favors, finger foods and prizes. Tickets purchased by Monday are $25 per adult, $20 per youth and $12 per child under age 5. At the door, the costs are $30 per adult and $25 per youth and children. To register or for more information, call (623) 856-6529.
World Wide Bowling
Children ages 5 to 18 can enter to win a 900 Global bowling ball and bag by bringing friends to bowl at Thunderbolt Lanes. For more information, call (623) 856-6529.
Red Eye Open tournament
The Red Eye Open golf tournament is 8 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013, at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. The cost is $45 per club member, $50 per nonmember and $55 per guest, and includes breakfast, green fees, range balls, cart rental, lunch and prizes. Deadline to register is Dec. 28. For more information, call (623) 535-9334.
