Out of Trim: 1-212th take championship

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterJuly 31, 2014

Out of Trim: 1-212th take championship
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 31, 2014) -- Two of Fort Rucker's top intramural softball teams went head to head to see who would take the title of post champions during a heated match that turned the championship into a double-elimination bout.

The 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment's Out of Trim bested the Fort Rucker Fire Department's Plug Uglies during the Fort Rucker Intramural Softball Championship in a two-game showdown.

Plug Uglies dominated their opponents in the first game, winning 14-4, but still needed a second win to earn the crown. Despite playing with only nine players and missing five of their starters, Out of Trim was able to prove they weren't down for the count, bringing out a superior offense and solid defense to take the title with a 9-0 win in the second game.

W01 Shawn Farias, coach for Out of Trim, said it was his team's attitude and endurance that allowed them to pull out a win in the second game.

"I think our stamina and endurance helped us outlast the other team in the second game," he said. "We just kept a good attitude and we didn't let (the loss) bring us down during the second game. We made the routine plays and gave good hustle. I think this win says a lot about our team, especially playing while missing so many of our players."

During the first game, Plug Uglies took to the plate first and got off to a slow start with a pop up to center field and followed up with a two-base hit, but weren't able to keep their momentum going, racking up three outs to send Out of Trim to the plate.

The 1-212th was off to a better start than their opponents, managing a two-base hit followed by an RBI for the first run of the game.

Plug Uglies managed to tighten up their defense, catching two pop ups to left field and getting a play at first to send their opponents back into the outfield.

The Fire Department team had plenty of time to make up for lost ground and started the second inning on the right foot with multiple base hits, and a shot through the gloves of the opposing short stop allowed for an RBI to tie the game, 1-1.

Out of Trim took to the plate again determined not to fall behind, and kept up their offense by keeping the ball on the ground to get runners on base and scoring to retake the lead before heading back into the outfield.

Trailing, Plug Uglies continued to match Out of Trim's momentum, but a string of base hits allowed for a three-run shot, followed by a solo in-the-park homerun to put the Fire Department comfortably ahead.

Out of Trim was finally able to put a stop to their opponent's onslaught and had their work cut out for them as they took to the plate, but Plug Uglies' defense proved too much for them as they were sent packing, scoreless for the inning.

The Fire Department team kept up their momentum going into the fourth with a string of base hits and two RBIs to keep them ahead, 6-2.

As the game went on, the 1-212th couldn't seem to catch their stride and were unable to get past their opponent's defense, but Plug Uglies seemed right at home as they managed base hit after base hit in the sixth, which allowed for three more RBIs to extend their lead.

Out of Trim managed a couple runs leading up to the final inning, but it was nothing against the aggressive offense their opponent's were putting up.

Plug Uglies culminated their time in the final game, managing five more runs in the final inning to win the first-game, 14-4.

Out of Trim knew they would have to step up their game during the second bout in order to win the championship. And they did just that.

Both teams seemed evenly matched going into the second game as neither was able to make any headway on the other during the first inning, but Out of Trim hit their stride going into the second inning, managing three runs during their time at the plate to put them way out in front.

The 1-212th's defense also held strong, as they didn't allow Plug Uglies to advance, despite multiple base hits, but neither team seemed able to make any headway for multiple innings.

It wasn't until the sixth inning that Out of Trim was able to end the drought with a string of base hits followed by a three-run in-the-park home run.

Plug Uglies were visibly exhausted at this point and seemed to struggle to stay in the game. Out of Trim capitalized on their opponent's exhaustion by scoring three runs in the final inning to end the game and earn the crown, 9-0.

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