FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A double-play in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two ended 'Shenanigans' hopes of a comeback against playoff rivals 'Old Skool' in the double-header final game of the post Intramural Softball championships July 19.
The win marked the second consecutive post title for 'Old Skool' of 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment. Coach James Paris said the win was a result of "perseverance."
"We had a lot of injuries in the season and lost a couple of players, but we came through it and played as hard as we could," he said. "I'm really proud of the way our guys played all season. We had a lot of great competition and my hat's off to the guys in 'Shenanigans.' They're a great, young team."
Game two was a battle of the bats for both teams. 'Shenanigans,' of B Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, took an early 4-0 lead on the strength of second baseman John Naegele and a homerun from left fielder Kevin Lee.
'Old Skool' came back heavy with its next at bat, answering all four runs and then tacking on four of its own to take the lead, 8-4.
The battle of the bats continued in the second inning as 'Shenanigans' tied the game, 8-8. It managed to halt the 'Old Skool' offense in the third and, with a series of base hits, put up six more runs to take the lead, 14-8.
In the fourth inning the wind in 'Shenanigans'' sails suddenly wilted and 'Old Skool' took full advantage.
The strain of back-to-back games began to take its toll on the battle-hardened 'Shenanigans' while the 'Old Skool' gloves started heating up. 'Old Skool' second baseman Jay Thomas and first baseman Russ Smedley halted the 'Shenanigans' rally with solid communication and fielding.
Heat from the 'Old Skool' gloves made its way to the teams' bats as it kicked off a two-inning rally led by strong hitting from Smedley, third baseman Bud Moore and right fielder Sam Gipson.
By the sixth inning, the 'Old Skool' rally gave the team a 16-14 lead and demoralized the 'Shenanigans' lineup. After several attempts to get its own rally going, the 'Shenanigans' runners were stopped by the 'Old Skool' outfield when several deep hits fell short of the fence line.
Back-to-back homeruns from Moore and Gipson helped extend the 'Old Skool' lead to 19-14 in the top of the seventh inning. 'Shenanigans' failed to capitalize on its final chance for victory and the game closed with an 'Old Skool' double-play.
'Shenanigans' coach Matthew Humphrey said the loss was disappointing, but he wouldn't have made any decisions differently.
"We started out strong (in the second game), but one error led to another," he said. "This really came down to the two best teams here and it was a great series. I'm proud of our guys and we're going to try again next season."
A double-header was forced after 'Shenanigans' defeated 'Old Skool' in the first game, 19-9.
Intramural Sports coordinator Edd Ellis presented trophies to the top four teams and the league champions at the conclusion of the game.
"It was a great season and I thank all the teams for their participation and good sportsmanship," Ellis said.
The two competing teams, league champions 597th Maintenance Company, fourth place U.S. Aeromedical Center and third place 'Big Shots' from D Co., 1st Bn., 145th Avn. Regt., received trophies after the game.
Social Sharing