CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - On a hot, windy Sunday afternoon the two best intramural softball teams from Camp Arifjan slugged it out to decide who would ultimately be called the "Area Support Group-Kuwait champion."
The 2014 ASG-KU softball tournament was a culmination of the intramural season. The top three teams from Camp Arifjan and the top three teams from Camp Buehring were scheduled to contest the final tournament. The two first place teams were given byes into the semifinal rounds while the other four teams had to start from the quarterfinal round.
The 452nd Combat Support Hospital team, nicknamed "McGloving", was out for redemption in this tournament according to Sgt. 1st Class James Garbett, starting pitcher, "We went undefeated throughout the intramural season and the postseason tournament until the finals when we lost to these guys [Sons of Pitches, ASG-KU team] twice in one day."
"We knew that if we played just a little bit better and made the plays we were supposed to we could overcome them and win," said Garbett.
After seven hard fought and intense games over two days the championship came down to the two best teams from Camp Arifijan.
For "Sons of Pitches" it was a long fought battle in an exciting semifinal game against Camp Buehring's number one team the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, nicknamed "Los Monstarz."
The game was finished on a walk off home run by the "Sons of Pitches."
Despite this heartbreaking loss "Los Monstarz" were proud of their play in the tournament said Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan Noel, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, "We had a chance to win but just came up short in the semifinals, we still gave our best and are really proud of our effort and competitiveness."
Now it was time for the championship grudge match between the "Sons of Pitches", who needed a win to force a deciding game, and the undefeated team "McGloving". The first game was a classic as "Sons of Pitches" went into the bottom of the final inning down by 11 runs and somehow came back to win 24-23 to force a final winner take all game. "I told the team to never give up we always have a chance to win if we believe in ourselves and focus on playing the game the right way," said Master Sgt. James Best, third baseman and asst. coach for "Sons of Pitches."
Revenge is a dish best served hot was the theme of the final game as another thrilling down to the wire contest saw the "Sons of Pitches" take a lead into the final innings only to be caught and passed by a run surge from the "McGlovings". The top of the final inning revealed two runs from the "Sons of Pitches" to tie the game at 15-all.
The bottom of the inning witnessed the determination of the "McGlovings" not to let another championship slip away as they pieced three hits together to score the championship clinching run and celebrate their ultimate victory in the last game of the softball season.
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