FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 11, 2014) -- While the rest of the world sat amazed at Germany's triumphant 7-1 victory over Brazil in the World Cup, some of Fort Rucker's finest were busy in a heated competition of their own.
The Fort Rucker Intramural Softball regular season came to a close July 8 as teams battled it out in their final games before the playoffs.
The C Troop, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment Outcasts beat the Fort Rucker Fire Department Plug Uglies in their final game of the regular season, 11-0.
Taking a page out of Germany's book, the Outcasts managed to score six runs in the first inning alone, giving them a huge advantage to start.
CW4 James Thompson, coach for the Outcasts, was excited about the team's win and said his team's ability to put the ball where they want was a contributing factor to the shut out.
"I think we played really well," he said. "This is a great group of guys and they're really talented players. They put the ball where it needed to be. We got on them quick, we got six runs in the first inning, and that's hard to come back from."
Plug Uglies took to the plate first and started off on the right foot with two base hits, but the Outcasts' defense proved up for the challenge and didn't allow their opponents to advance past second base.
Two plays at second and a pop fly later, Plug Uglies was sent into the outfield and the Outcasts took to the plate to begin their onslaught.
The 1-14th was off to a good start with a base hit, followed by a shot to left field, and despite a play at second for their first out, they followed up with a two-run shot to start their scoring streak.
Outcasts' ability to put the ball where they wanted made it difficult for their opponents to stay on top of their defense, which allowed the 1-14th to bring in run after run.
They managed to keep their momentum going long enough to bring in six runs for the inning before a play at first ended their time at the plate.
Plug Uglies had their work cut out for them going into the second inning, and again started off on the right foot with two back-to-back base hits to get runners on base, eventually managing to load the bases with two outs.
The board was set for the Fire Department's team to bring in some runs, but a pop fly to left field sent them packing once again.
The Outcasts took to the plate with the same intensity they started with and continued to keep the ball on the ground to get runners on base before Matt Rendel hit a three-run homer over the center field fence to extend their lead.
Coupled with another RBI before their third out put Outcasts in the lead 10-0 at the end of the second.
Plug Uglies' offense didn't seem to fair much better going into the third as they racked up three outs quickly, but their defense tightened and were able to use some of their stopping power against their opponents, and both teams ended the inning scoreless.
Going into the fourth, despite Plug Uglies' tightened defense, they needed to get on the scoreboard if they wanted to stay in the game, which they were unable to do before Outcasts again took to the plate.
The 1-14th managed to break the stagnation and bring in a single RBI to end the inning.
Plug Uglies needed to score at least two runs during their time at the plate at the top of the fifth in order to stay in the game, but were unable to get past their opponent's defense and the game ended, 11-0.
Teams will now square off in the playoffs, starting July 14, and Thompson said he's confident in his team's ability to take the championship.
"I think our chances in the playoffs are really good," he said. "Waiver Wire is the team to look out for, they're just so fast and have talented, young guys who can run.
"I think we can beat them, though," said the Outcasts coach. "Last time we played them, we only had nine players and they beat us by one run, so we're looking for a little pay back."
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