Eagles, Chiefs continue battle on softball field

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Haldon Marmolejos
  • 1st SOSVS
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Oct. 15 was an eventful day at Hurlburt Field. Airmen from units across the base and their dependents gathered around the softball fields by the Aderholt Fitness Center. The most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon a unit by any Air Force Fitness and Sports Program, the Commander's Trophy, was to be presented followed by one of the most anticipated softball games of the year, game two of the Chiefs against the Eagles.

The trophy recognizes the units that accumulate the highest number of points from consistent involvement, participation and winning success in intramural sports, the sports council and special events. The winning units represent the most skilled, persistent and physically fit Commandos on Hurlburt Field. In the interest of fairness, the award was divided into two categories, small and large, according to the number of personnel assigned per unit.

The 2007 Commander's Commando Trophy Award for the large squadron was presented the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron, who scored 1,620 points throughout the year, 206 more than its closest competitor.

The trophy for the small squadron was presented to the 505th Command and Control Wing, who scored 1,210 points throughout the year, 280 more than their closest competitors.

Following the awards presentation and the singing of the national anthem by Airman LaThomas Taylor, 1st Special Operations Services Squadron, it was time to play ball. After being defeated 8-2 the first time the teams met, the Eagles came into this game with vengeance in their minds.

The game began in the Chiefs' favor as they jumped to a 5-0 lead after two-and-a-half innings. But everything changed in the bottom of the third when Col. Brad Webb, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, stepped to the plate. He singled into left field and later in the inning scored the Eagles' first run on a double by Lt. Col. Patrick Butler, 1st Special Operations Helicopter Maintenance Squadron commander. That was the start of a ferocious Eagles comeback which kept the game close until the very end.

By the last inning, it was do or die for the Eagles as they were down by three runs. The determination of our commando leaders was about to be tested, and they definitely stepped up to the plate. In a thrilling seventh inning, they mounted an enormous comeback to win the game 14-13. Lt Col. William Wolfe, 73rd Special Operations Squadron, drove in the game winning run with a single, and Colonel Webb, who scored the first run for the Eagles, also scored the last.

"It was hard fought game," said Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Romeo, 1st SOSVS superintendent. "The rubber game needs to happen, we still have their number."

After game three, there will be no excuses, and we will finally know which group of leaders is better suited to lead Hurlburt Field to victory, even if it's only on the softball field.