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Two times the fun

  • Published
  • By Dean Siemon
  • Northwest Guardian
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 62nd Maintenance Squadron won the 2014 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Intramural Softball Championship Sept. 12 at St. Helen's Field on McChord Field.

Entering the final night of the league's double-elimination playoff bracket, the 62nd MXS was unbeaten against the 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron, who had one loss at the beginning of the tournament. While CES took the first game by a score of 16-9, MXS would return the favor with a 16-13 win in the second of the impromptu doubleheader.

After losing for only the second time this season, 62nd MXS bounced back thanks to four home runs.

"We came out better this time," said Timothy Mason, 62nd MXS, who's team was out-hit 27-16 in the opener. "It was definitely a challenge to overcome."

Part of that power surge was Josh Budinich, who celebrated his 25th birthday by hitting three triples and a pair of solo home runs. His three triples came in the opener, while his solo blasts were in the nightcap. Richard Nydan added a two-run shot in the fifth, and Robert Hadwin a solo homer in the sixth in the second game.

Budinich's homers were the first he hit this season, both sailing over the left field fence. He said the two shots were not because of any batting adjustments, but rewards for consistent hitting.

"I just made good contact and they happened to go out," Budinich said.

In the other dugout, 62nd CES came in with a little momentum after playing five consecutive days, including a 13-12 win over last year's intramural champions at 62nd Aerial Port Squadron in the semifinals.

Despite having lost to the maintainers in the regular season 9-6 in July, team captain James Abney said they entered the game prepared despite aching bodies and hurting legs entering their sixth consecutive day of competition to get to the championship round.

In the opener, 62nd CES built a 9-2 lead after scoring seven runs with two outs in the second inning. Danny Garcia hit a two-run triple, Ryan Kruger an RBI single, and Cory McLellan a grand slam.

"We're all sore and beat up," Abney said. "But once you get in a game time situation, it all goes away."

In the second game, the engineers trailed 14-6 before another seven-run inning gave it a glimmer of hope.

Garcia hit a two-run double, and Kruger, Chris Benefield and McLellan all followed with run-scoring singles to pull within 14-13 after six innings.

But MXS held on thanks to a pair of insurance runs in the seventh, as Kevin Harris hit a run-scoring single and Austin Williams a sacrifice fly.

"You don't want to end the season on an easy game," Abney said. "Being down and coming back, it holds true to how the team played all season. I'm definitely proud of them."