Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
For the most part, it was just another day at the office for the Lackland Warhawks Varsity Men's Softball Team.
Lackland pounded out 27 hits through seven innings as they defeated Concordia 19-8 in the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Spring Softball League on May 2 at the Alva Jo Fischer Memorial Softball Complex.
It appeared as if the Warhawks had settled the game in their favor by the end of fourth inning, when they were up 14-1. However, Concordia did not give up, as they added three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh.
"The game lasted longer than I wanted it to," said Eric Culver, the Warhawks coach and substitute third baseman. "They (Concordia) kind of hung with us until we were finally able to put them away."
While the breeze blowing in from center field died down a little bit during the top of the seventh, three Warhawks hit home runs. Right fielder Steve Reichert drilled a two-run blast, and both extra hitter Paul Hackett and Culver swatted solo shots over the fence.
Earlier in the game, both Reichert and Hackett singled three times and drove in one run.
Also against Concordia, right-center fielder Kane Mueller went 4-for-5 with one RBI.
Left-center fielder Rich Burley went 3-for-4 with two doubles and one run scored.
Lackland shortstop Sean Chaney scored three runs and went 2-for-4 with a double that drove in one run. The husky infielder also contributed four assists and one putout, and his defensive play helped Lackland stop Concordia from scoring more runs than they did.
"He's my jack-of-all-trades," said Culver, referring to Chaney.
The rest of the powerful Lackland lineup batted in at least one run.
Left fielder Eric Schafer went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Both starting third baseman Lance Harris (2-for-4) and second baseman Rudy Zapata (2-for-3) had two RBIs. Catcher Ted Ayon (1-for-5 with a double), pitcher Tracy Oliver (1-for-5) and first baseman Tom Roomsburg (2-for-5) each drove in one run.
Altogether, the Lackland outfield handled 12 chances flawlessly.
For Concordia, right-center fielder Bryan Griggs singled and scored later on an infield throwing error during the fourth. Third baseman Brad Hamman tripled to drive in two runs, and Griggs hit a sacrifice fly to send another run across home plate during the fifth. Second baseman Chuck Nall scored on a sacrifice fly by pitcher Greg Entzenburger during the sixth. After Hamman drove in one run with a base hit, Griggs hit a two-run homer during the seventh.
Concordia shortstop Victor Moreno stood out in the field with 10 assists and one putout.
Before their game against Concordia, Lackland won by forfeit over the Horsemen Sunday during what would have been a makeup game.
Now, Lackland is 6-2 in the SAPAR Men's "C" Division. This weekend, the Warhawks will compete in the Budweiser Festival in College Station. Their next SAPAR game is 8:30 p.m. May 8 at the complex.