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News

566th IS falls short in softball championship series

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Gross
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 566th Intelligence Squadron went into the championship series with an advantage over their opponent, they had the chance to win the championship in one game Sept. 4 but couldn't pull through as they lost back-to-back games to the SBIRS of the 2nd Space Warning Squadron.

The 566th IS stepped into the game as the leader of the winner's bracket in a double-elimination playoff style, and the SBIRS came into the game leading the loser's bracket with one loss during the playoffs but a 12-3 regular season record.

The first team to lose two games was eliminated and the other crowned base champions.

The 566th IS slipped into the playoffs taking away the last seed, with a record of 9-7 and were able to beat the top three teams and advance to the finals. Along their road to the championship series the 566th IS already beat SBIRS, forcing them to enter the loser's bracket.

Both teams came out strong in game one, tying the game at four runs by the end of the first inning.

The 566th IS struggled the rest of game one, only putting up one other run. However, the SBIRS went to put up runs through most of their at-bats including seven runs in the third inning, putting a nail in the coffin to put away the first game of the series.

SBIRS won the game with a final score of 16-5.

Both teams holding one loss, it came down to one final game.

Both teams put on a good defensive show to start the game with only one run being scored in the first three innings. The 566th IS finally got the bats going in the fourth, scoring their first run of game two along with four more and putting the score at 5-1 to start the bottom of the fourth.

The SBIRS answered, adding three more runs to come within one.

The next inning was the deciding factor of the game. The 566th IS brought in two more runs but couldn't hold off SBIRS during their fifth inning at bat, allowing them to put up four runs.
The game ended with a final score of 8-7.

"We have been all about our batting all year, putting up 12 to 25 runs every game," said Staff Sgt. Patrick, 566th IS team captain and pitcher. "We just went really cold with our bats."

Bradshaw said there was no disappointment to how they ended their season, they sneaked into the playoffs and were still able to reach the finals and come in second place.

On the other hand, the SBIRS seemed thrilled to have made all the way to the finals and take it home.

"We are all about the team concept and playing to win, but keeping our composure and respect at all times," said Senior Airman Waddell, SBIRS outfielder. "Throughout the season we overcame the obstacle of losing the first game of the playoffs and having to go through the loser's bracket and beating some very good teams in order to win the championship."

Howard said the main drive behind their 2012 run was because his team lost in last year's finals, and they didn't want a repeat of that happening again.

 

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