DENTAC snags intramural softball crown

By James Brabenec, Fort Sill CannoneerAugust 28, 2014

Inside-the-park homer
When the ball skiped past the right fielder, Dental Activities Command batter Reynaldo Albizu chased base runner David Holland on a spirited dash for an inside-the-park home run and a 16-14 lead late in the championship game Aug. 21, 2014 at the Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 28, 2014) -- Dental Activities Command overcame a first inning deficit to win the post intramural softball championship game, 17-14, Aug. 21 at Cannoneer Complex.

On paper, it looked like the classic David vs. Goliath matchup. The David dentists played tight, closely contested games during the regular season, but still amassed a 13-5 record. That mark was significantly better than last year's team that only posted one victory.

"We weren't sure if we were going to have a team this year, but we had more time to practice and it turned out to be a great year," said left fielder Eusebio Rodriguez, who doubles as the unit first sergeant.

In contrast, A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery pummeled opponents to a 17-5 regular season record. They carried that firepower into the playoffs where the offensive minded defenders' run differential for one game 13 -- equaled DENTAC's over three games. That barrage continued as they outscored opponents by 42 runs going into the championship game.

"We averaged 22 runs a game during the regular season and into the playoffs, but when it came to put up big numbers in the championship game our bats fell asleep," said James Ortiz, A/3-6th ADA coach.

Lethargic certainly didn't describe the ADA hit machine in the first inning. With a stout breeze blowing out to center field, DENTAC pitcher Aaron Baumler struggled to find the strike zone. The first two batters drew walks in advance of Alan Alaniz, who walked a much shorter distance. Alaniz pounded the ball far over the left center field fence for a home run before trotting back to the dugout for High 5s. That 3-0 lead built to 8-0 when the inning ended.

"We thought the game was over at that point," said Rodriguez. "3-6 ADA was beating everyone by the mercy rule, and we thought we were next.

Instead the dentists answered by scoring four in the bottom half of the inning.

"We thought then we had a chance to win," he added.

DENTAC's hit parade continued in the second inning with six runners crossing home plate to take a 10-9 lead.

But, in the fourth inning Mark Theriot and Alan Soderberg each clubbed two-run homers to retake the lead. Soderberg's drive cleared the center field scoreboard and bounced off a second fence, nearly threatening ADA vehicles parked in a compound.

A/3-6th ADA's lead decayed in the fifth inning as DENTAC plated three runners to draw within one at 14-13.

ADA may have scored more but DENTAC left center fielder, Reynaldo Albizu's glove became the place ADA blasts went to die.

"The wind was tricky tonight, but I've played here a few years and have gotten used to it," said Albizu.

Following a 1-2-3 top of the 6th inning, Joseph Hunter opened the bottom half with double. David Holland followed with a seeing-eye single to put runners at the corners setting up the play of the game.

Albizu hit a slicing, spinning fly ball to right fielder Joshua Permenter. The ball hit in front of the fielder and hopped past him like an uncooperative rabbit.

"I didn't get all of it, but it fell in the right spot. As soon as I saw it skip past, I knew this was a home-plate run," said Albizu.

The fleet footed fielder ran up on Holland's heels and the two crossed home plate like synchronized swimmers.

With the three-run hustle, DENTAC moved ahead 16-14. Sean Porter put a crowning touch on the victory as he homered over the right center field fence just before the game was called at its one-hour time limit.

Ortiz said 3-6th ADA will be back next year building on a core of talent that has played together for a few years.

For DENTAC, the victory was comparable to a surprise from the tooth fairy: The unit hasn't won any event on post since 1985!

"The time was right," said Rodriguez. "We came together as a team, the chemistry was there and the guys wanted to win."