Story and photos by Amy Newcomb
GUIDON staff
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The 58th Transportation Battalion defeated the 364th Training Squadron, Air Force Detachment 1, during the Commander’s Cup Softball Championship 17-7 and claimed the coveted post championship trophy Sept. 11.

Coach David Jenkins, 58th Trans. Bn., said his team made it to the championship, and won, by putting forth a lot of team effort.

“I’m proud of these guys. We have been playing with 10 or 11 guys most of the year because of our commitments. Now we finally have the full team together, although we are still short one ball player who is at the All-Army camp, so we are going to text him and let him know we brought it home,” Jenkins said.

At the close of the intramural season, 58th Tran. Bn. placed second out of eleven teams, winning eight of 11 games.

“We came together and played hard all weekend long. We have been playing tournaments together, league together, and we played some of the best teams on the installation. The Air Force is one hell of a team; they came out here and played ball hard, and you got to take your hats off to them,” he added.

The 58th Trans. Bn. batted first and scored two runs to the Air Force’s one run in the first inning. However, during the second inning, the Air Force scored an additional three runs, which placed them in the lead with 4-2.

During the third inning, the 58th Trans. Bn. set themselves apart from the Air Force when Sean Moriarity and Travis Goss both hit home runs. By the bottom of the third, 58th Trans. Bn. led the Air Force 9-5.

In the top of the fourth, 58th Trans. Bn. added eight runs, and Jenkins hit the third and final home run of the game. The Air Force only had two runs, which left the score  17-7 and the 10-run rule was invoked, ending the game.

Lt. Col. Paul Struck, 58th Trans. Bn. commander, said he is always very proud of the 58th Trans. Bn. Soldiers for all the hard work they do and for the times like this when they get to showcase their talent.

“We have a lot of talented Soldiers in our formations, and it’s awesome to have opportunities to have fun and highlight what our Soldiers are capable of,” he said.

Struck said the trophy will make its rounds to the different locations where the players work and then be displayed at the battalion headquarters.