62nd MXS 1 plates up softball victory

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 62nd Maintenance Squadron 1 softball team erupted for six runs in the fourth inning, paving the way to an easy 15-3 victory over the 62nd Services Squadron Monday evening at St. Helen's Field.

Despite the final score, things were close early in the game as neither team could put together a string of hits.

MXS 1 finally broke through in the top of the third as Dave Demarest laced a two-run single to right to drive home the first two runs of the game. 

MXS 1 got one more run in the inning on an SVS error.

But SVS came right back in the bottom of the third, putting runners at first and second with two outs. 

Adam Hernandez hit a high pop-up to shallow left that dropped in for a two-run single, cutting MXS 1's lead to 3-2.

SVS would get one more run in the inning to tie the score at 3-3.

That was as close as things got.

After putting runners on first and second in the top of the fourth, Brandon Brown tomahawked a single up the middle, driving both runners home.

Wesley Brown then followed with a booming double to left to make it 6-3.

Ed Platt rounded out the scoring in the inning with a two-run single, pushing the score to 9-3.

"I tell the guys to hit the ball as hard as they can, wherever they can," MXS 1 coach Scott Scheitzach said.

His team took the advice to heart against SVS, smashing line drives and towering fly balls to the very depths of the outfield on the way to scoring the 15 runs and earning its third win of the season.

After a string of retirements and permanent change of stations gutted the MXS 1 roster, the look of this year's team is very different, Scheitzach said.

"We have a bunch of new guys this year," he said. "They don't have a ton of experience playing softball, but they've all played baseball in the past."

That experience has produced a team that plays solid defense, but hasn't quite found its stride at the plate. 

"Our sticks still need shaking at the plate," Scheitzach said.

Wesley Brown said he is still getting used to the slow speed of the pitching.

Brown said once everyone gets acclimated, the rest of the league better watch out.

"There's the possibility that we can score 30 runs in a game," he said. "We're just starting to heat up. Once our bats get cracking, it's going to be ugly [for opponents]."

With all the offensive firepower, MXS 1 is hungry for a shot at the championship after finishing fourth last year.

"We just have to make it all click," Scheitzach said. "It's going to get better -- I guarantee it."