USASSD comes from behind to take D III title

By Brandon BieltzAugust 5, 2011

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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - When Joel Peña took over as coach of the U.S. Army Signal School Detachment Division III softball team, the squad was sitting near the bottom of the standings.

But after two months of managing the team, Peña helped lead USASSD to the Division III softball championship July 28 at Donahue Field. As they did all season, USASSD players fought back from an early deficit to defeat the higher-ranked First Army Division East, 14-7.

USASSD entered the playoffs with a 9-6 record and closed out the season with a series of wins. In the first round of the playoffs, the team defeated Satellite Communications 15-6.

In the semifinals, the team faced off against the top-seeded Naval Operations Information Command, Maryland. Down 7-0 early in the third inning, USASSD came from behind to stun NIOC with a 15-8 victory.

Peña said the come-from-behind victories had become a trend for his team late in the season, and players always found a way to get the win when it mattered.

"It's been a struggle, but I think we can go all the way," he said.

Despite losing multiple players throughout the season, First Army held a 13-4 record at the end of the regular season. Four of the team's starters were unavailable to play in the championship game. But coach Kelvin Ladner said his team adapted to the changing roster.

"The players I have, I have confidence in," he said before the game.

First Army's run in the playoffs began with a 22-6 victory over Cyber Command. In the semifinals, the team narrowly defeated the 29th Intelligence Squadron, 3-1.

Ladner said the key to a First Army win would have been to get the bats going earlier on and then focus on defense.

"Defense wins championships, that's the key," he said.

In line with Ladner's plan, First Army began the game with a huge first inning, accumulating five quick runs. Reginald Williams led the charge, bringing in two runners.

USASSD had already fallen behind 5-0 before stepping foot in the batter's box. The team was able to cut the deficit down in the bottom of the first as Benjamin Moline singled in the lead-off batter for the team's first run. Bryan Metaxotos brought in two more runners.

In the top of the second, First Army produced only one run when Scott Weathersby hit John Harrington home to make the score 6-3.

USASSD began to fight back in the bottom of the second. After Kelley Oaks brought in Maurice Dawson, First Army's defense fell apart. A line-drive by Markelvus Buchanan turned into a triple that brought in three runs after First Army fielders overthrew at two bases.

The Buchanan hit gave USASSD a 7-6 lead. Kevin Budet brought Buchanan in from third, extending the lead 8-6. Frank Golab added another run before Metaxotos hit a two-RBI triple to raise the lead to 11-6. A single by Oaks brought Metaxotos in before the inning ended with a score of 12-6.

In the third, First Army mustered one run off the bat of John Silbaugh. USASSD did not get a hit in the bottom of the inning, with two batters being walked and three quick outs.

The USASSD defense completely shut down the First Army offense in the fourth inning. USASSD added another two runs in the bottom of the inning as Paul Sanchez and Buchanan each brought in a runner to increase their team's lead to 14-7.

Neither team was able to produce a run throughout the rest of the game. The USASSD ran through six batters in the fifth and six. First Army tried to rally in the seventh as a Weathersby double moved Steven Lim to third. With two runners in scoring position, the final batter popped-out as USASSD sealed the 14-7 championship victory.

Metaxotos and Buchanan led USASSD each with four RBIs, while Williams produced the most runs for First Army. Silbaugh, First Army's pitcher, had four walks and no strikeouts. USASSD pitcher Sanchez did not have any walks or strikeouts, but was named most valuable player.

Sanchez was quick to credit the victory to the entire team.

"It's a great team effort," he said. "We all tightened up together and played tough and had a good game."

Peña said he was proud of his team for making a come-back. As winners of the Division III championship, the team earned a spot in the post championship tournament.

"I think we have a good chance," he said. "On a given day, anybody can beat anybody."

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