7/3/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The 433rd Airlift Wing softball team is cognizant of the stigma surrounding the Division III Recreational League. The softball league is not as competitive as the Division I Competitive League or the Division II Intermediate League.
The 433rd AW ballplayers are ready to refute that stigma at the upcoming 12-team Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland softball tournament July 16-19. The tourney will host the top four teams from Division I, the top six teams from Division II, and the top two teams from Division III.
With an 11-2 record, the 433rd AW sits atop the Division III standings. The airlifters opened up a comfortable two-game lead by defeating their division rivals, the second place 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, 10-3 June 28.
Tied 3-3 through four, 433rd AW third baseman Paul Diaz's RBI single spurred a seven-run, fifth inning.
EWS failed in its opportunity for a share of first place when the game was called after six innings for the league-mandated 50-minute time limit.
"During the pre-game warm-ups, we said this was the team that was going to put us to the test, and we passed it," said 433rd AW coach Joe Cavazos.
The victory over EWS also cemented AW's bid for a slot in the base intra-divisional softball playoffs.
With a well-balanced mix of youth and experience, the coach likes what he sees in his team thus far.
Cavazos said the team will be going into the JBSA-Lackland softball tournament with a 19-player roster whose players consistently show up to compete.
"We've gelled well as a team," Cavazos said about his team's chemistry this season.
"All 19 guys show up to every game," he said. "That's dedication, and we are not going to change a thing about ourselves. We will be competitive in the tournament."
AW is prepared to make its mark against the other 11 opponents.
"In the playoffs, we will be ready to give the teams from the other leagues a run for their money," said AW outfielder Ralph Ozuna.
"We'll be able to compete against teams from the other two divisions as long as errors are kept to a minimum. Fresh legs, fresh faces, and a fresh attitude will carry us through," Cavazos said about the team's mindset for the playoffs.