RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
An eight-run first-inning outburst gave Air Force Personnel Center 2 a lead they never relinquished as they cruised to an 11-2 victory over Joint Personal Property Shipping Office in Randolph intramural softball action Monday.
The win improved AFPC 2's record to 4-8, while JPPSO fell to 2-10.
"A lot of base hits and good defense are what we had today," AFPC 2 coach Larry Smith said. "It was a good team effort."
JPPSO threatened to score in the top of the first inning, but Michael Bradham was stranded after belting a two-out triple.
In the bottom of the first, AFPC 2's Brian Crites, Eric Johnson and Smith reached base safely with no outs to load the bases, and Kevin Stancik delivered a sacrifice fly to score Crites for the first run of the game. William Frampton followed with a double to bring Johnson and Smith home and AFPC had a 3-0 lead.
After Derrick Moniz lined out to third, Rondae Horton's single scored Frampton, Brad Nielsen reached first on an error and Jason Klinkel drew a walk to load the bases. Another base on balls, to Charles Wyatt, scored Horton and Martin Markos came through with a hit that cleared the bases and gave AFPC 2 an 8-0 lead.
JPPSO's first run came with two outs in the top of the second inning. Nathan Wierzba reached first on a fielder's choice and scored on a base hit by Troy Belyeu.
AFPC 2 scored a single run in the bottom of the third. Horton reached base on an error and Nielsen singled to left center. After Nielsen was forced out at second on a fielder's choice, Wyatt's single to left center scored Horton from third base.
An inning later, AFPC 2 extended their lead to 10-1. Johnson, Smith and Frampton all reached base safely to load the bases and Moniz's sacrifice fly to left field scored Johnson.
Neither team scored in the fifth inning, but JPPSO added their second run in the top of the sixth. Travis Massey started the frame with a double to center field and advanced to third on Ontario Robinson's fly ball to right center. Massey scored when Bradham reached first on a throwing error.
AFPC 2 ended the scoring in the bottom of the sixth before time expired. Johnson advanced all the way to second on an error and scored one out later on a double to left field by Dave Hillman.
Assistant coach Moniz said he was glad to see AFPC 2's bats come alive in the first inning. He also singled out an improving defense for their efforts.
But having fun is what matters most, he said.
"Everybody had a good time," Moniz said. "That's what it all comes down to."