By Kevin Gaddie, Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published June 12, 2017
An Armament Directorate team member swings for the fences during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The EB team bashed the hapless Air Force Research Lab team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A runner steps on first base during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The Armament Directorate team bashed the hapless Air Force Research Lab team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The Air Force Research Lab team’s Theresa Hughes swings for the fences during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The Armament Directorate team bashed the hapless AFRL team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The Armament Directorate team’s outfielder throws to his cut-off man during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The EB team bashed the hapless Air Force Research Lab team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
An Air Force Research Lab team member takes her turn at bat during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The Armament Directorate team bashed the hapless AFRL team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The Armament Directorate team’s Mike Kelton swings for the fences during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The EB team bashed the hapless Air Force Research Lab team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The Air Force Research Lab team’s Willie Whitley reaches up to catch a fly ball during an intramural softball game at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The Armament Directorate team bashed the hapless AFRL team 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The first Thursday intramural softball game comes to an end under a blue sky at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 8. The Armament Directorate team (left) bashed the hapless Air Force Research Lab team (right) 14-4 in five innings of play. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Directorate entered the matchup with a 3-1 record, while Lab, at 0-4, looked for their first win of the season.
Directorate opened the game with one run at the top of the first inning. Lab answered with two in the bottom for an early 2-1 lead.
Directorate established dominance in the second inning, scoring eight runs off the bats of Will Hawkins, Mike Kelton, Adam Vance, Tracy Woodard, Corey Skipper and Mark Plenge for a 9-2 lead.
They advanced to 11-2 with two more runs in the third inning.
Jack Munro, Lab’s coach, tried to stay positive as he watched Directorate slam the door shut.
“We could be playing better,” he said, laughing. “We’ll get our act together.”
They didn’t.
Directorate posted three more runs in the fifth, while Lab mustered two as Stephen Kennedy and Dante Donahoo drove in one run apiece.
Directorate left the field with a convincing 14-4 victory under the mercy rule after only five innings.
Hawkins, the coach, was pleased with the win.
“We’ve got a talented team,” he said. “No big mistakes tonight. Everyone hit well and played well. We’re going to play one game at a time and hopefully make it to the playoffs.”