LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
The Lackland Men's Varsity Softball Team demonstrated good base hitting, crushing La Prensa 20-3 on March 18.
The game was never close as the Lackland team scored 10 runs in the first and second innings of play.
"It's always great when you know you are hitting the ball well, and we did that tonight," said head coach Eric Culver.
Every Lackland batter reached home plate during the game.
In the bottom of the second inning, La Prensa brought in a relief pitcher. After four warm up pitches, Lackland starting pitcher James Hufstetler smashed the first pitch thrown his way over left field, hitting a grand slam.
Center fielder Chad Welka also produced a grand slam in the second inning. His, however, came on a fielder's error.
Lackland's play on March 18 carried over from the success they had over the weekend.
"We won the Texas Shootout," Culver said. "It was a good little tournament for us this early in the season."
Lackland defeated five teams at Time Warner Park in San Antonio, including three of the top 15 teams in the state.
"We weren't ranked because we didn't play in January and February, but when the rankings come out in April, we should be somewhere in the top 15," Culver said.
Extra hitter Paul Hackett earned MVP honors for his performance in the tournament. Pitcher Mike Jinkins and second baseman Todd Faber made the all tournament team and shortstop Sean Chaney was named defensive player of the tournament.
The week's six victories give Lackland a 15-4 record for the season.
With 10 returning players from last year's team, Lackland looks primed to build on the success they enjoyed last season, when they won two league championships.
However, the Lackland team will soon be losing three key members on last year's championship team. Kurtis Bailey leftfielder, Eric Schafer right fielder and Welka, will leave in the next few months, due to permanent change of station or temporary duty assignments.
"Normal military things always change the dynamics of the team month by month," said Culver. "I'm losing three fourths of my outfield. The guys coming in are going to have to step up to duplicate the success we had last year, but I have no doubt that it's going to happen."
One of the new players that Culver refers to has already made his imprint on the team. Hufstetler, a utility player, will look to help stabilize the team's inconsistent hitting and provide aid at several positions.
"He is going to play all over the place for us and help out a lot. He's also pretty fast," Culver said.
Lackland's speed and defense has been their trademarks so far this season. Still, Culver would like to see more offensive consistency from his team.
"We need to improve on our hitting," Culver said. "Since it's only been the first couple of weeks of the season, people are still getting their hitting down."