AF wins armed forces softball title

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Matt Gilreath
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  Air Force wrapped up the Armed Forces Women’s Softball Championship with a decisive 20-15 victory here Aug. 26 over Army.

Air Force lost to Army in the 2004 championship following a three-year winning streak -- this year they meant to get it back.

The top of the first inning led off with Army left fielder Niki Dunn driving a single down the third base line. The next batter, shortstop Tammy Baldwin, followed suit to put Army runners on first and second base.

Pitcher Terri Andreoni was up next and hit a shot to deep center field. Hard running and a throwing error allowed two runs to score and left Andreoni on second.

The cleanup batter went down swinging for the first out and a sacrifice fly to right field moved Andreoni over to third.

The following four batters hit singles. Andreoni and center fielder Jackeedra Wimbley scored, leaving the bases loaded for catcher Amanda Errickson. Errickson let the first pitch go by for a strike before popping up an inside pitch to Air Force second baseman Kristy Robinson for the third out but giving Army a 4-0 lead.

Air Force veteran shortstop Cheryl Trapnell drove a single over second base to start things off for the home team in the bottom of the first.

The next two batters, center fielder Karrie Warren and rover Kisha Scott-McCloud, singled to bring Trapnell home for Air Force’s first run.

Left fielder Shameka White cleared the bases with a double to left center field bringing Air Force within one run.

First baseman Jamie Thompson singled to right field to score White and tie up the game.

A pinch runner, Michelle Skarr, entered to run for Thompson.

Catcher Amanda Snyder got to first on a fielder’s choice as Skarr was thrown out on a controversial call at second.

Back-to-back doubles by third baseman Amanda Peters and Robinson gave Air Force the lead with only one out.

Pitcher Laurie Doughty hit a rocket to shortstop, but the throw was on target and gave Air Force their second out.

Candace Graham produced a single to bring Robinson in and up the score to give Air Force a three-run lead while bringing up the top of the batting order.

The top of the order came through, scoring Trapnell again before White was caught trying to steal second for the third out to end the first inning with Air Force up 9-4.

Neither team scored in the second inning.

The Army added a run in each of the third and fourth innings, with Air Force countering with two runs to keep their five-run advantage, 11-6.

The top of the fifth inning proved productive for Army, adding five runs to close the gap in their fight to keep the gold medal. Air Force scored one, bringing Army to within a run at 12-11.

The game heated up as Army finally gained the lead, 13-12, in the top of the sixth inning. Air Force faced the challenge head-on, hitting a load of singles and a double to score eight runs and upping the score 20-13. Army had one last shot in the seventh to make a comeback.

Army started off with a double by Baldwin. Andreoni hit a deep shot to White in left field for Army’s first out, bringing up rover Kimberly Sinclair who had been hitless all night. Sinclair took the first pitch and drove the ball deep over the fence for a two-run homer to bring Army within five runs.

Right fielder Michelle Merga stepped up to the plate and placed a single into center. This brought up Wimbley who popped out to rover Scott-McCloud for Army’s second out.

First baseman Chicola Barrington drove a single up the middle while second baseman Shannon Eichenseer looked the pitches over for a walk. Third baseman Angela Diebal hit behind loaded bases, missing the first pitch for a 0-1 count. She found her mark on the second pitch only to also find Robinson’s glove at second.

The line drive brought in the third out to end the championship game and bringing the gold back to Air Force.

For Air Force, Trapnell went 5-5 with one RBI, and White went 4-4 with two RBIs a double and one stolen base. Thompson went 5-5 with six RBIs and a stolen base.

For Army, Dunn went 3-5 with one RBI and Sinclair went 1-5 with three RBIs and a home run.