Six teams from Columbus, Fort Benning and McDonough, Ga., faced off in the Fort Benning Open Softball Tournament Friday and Saturday at Gowdy Field.
The two post teams, Team Benning and Benning II, competed in the round-robin, single-elimination tournament.
Team Benning missed its shot at winning the tournament, losing to Team T & W, of Columbus, 19-7 in the quarterfinals.
Benning II held on a little longer after winning 21-6 over the Bulldawgs to advance to the semifinals before being eliminated from championship contention with a 29-4 loss to team Midwest, of McDonough.
In the semifinals, Midwest erupted for 16 runs in the top of the first inning with RBIs from Chris Jones, Carlton Griffin, Doug Horton and Jay Field, and a three-up, three-down inning from Midwest pitcher Mark Knight. Midwest tacked on three runs in the top of the second half, while Benning II was held to one run in the second inning.
Fort Benning's Paul Roberts added an RBI double and Norman Perez had a two-run single in the third inning, but the game ended on the mercy rule, with Midwest winning 29-4 to advance to the finals.
"They came out hitting the ball - hitting and hitting and hitting," said Ray Reid, Benning II coach. "We had a couple of fundamental errors in the outfield, and if you don't hit with a team like that, you don't have a chance at winning."
Reid said he looks at the open tournament as the perfect warm-up for the team because it's still early in the season.
"We compete in the open tournament every year - it's a great time," he said.
In addition to games at South Commons Softball Complex, the team competes in tournaments in Florida and Georgia.
Knight, who pitches for Midwest, said playing in the tournament was worth the time and they hope to return next year.
"There are some really competitive teams here," he said. "It's our first time playing in this tournament and I am enjoying it."
Team Midwest moved on to play Team Logos of Columbus in the championship game, but lost 23-18. Team Logos won the tournament, Team Midwest took second, T&W took third, and Benning II finished fourth.
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