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Air Force goes back-to-back, claims third title in four years

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
  • Air Armament Center Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFMCNS) --  The leader of the All-Air Force Men's Softball Team knew it was going to take more than talent alone to claim the 2005 Armed Forces Men's Softball Championship.

But after claiming the title with a 7-2 record during the three-day round-robin tournament held at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 7 through 9 at Foster Stadium, the four-time head coach now believes it may have come down to a little astrology.

"The stars and moon were lined up in the right direction for us this time and we were real fortunate," said Steve Shortland, All-Air Force Men's Softball Team head coach, a retired master sergeant at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. "This tournament was such a nail biter."

The tournament championship is the Air Force's second straight title and their third in four years.

The All-Marine Corps Softball Team grabbed second place with a 6-3 record while the All-Army Softball Team snagged third with a 4-5 record. Coming in fourth was the All-Navy Softball Team with a 1-8 record.

On paper it may appear as though the Air Force had an easy run to the championship. But they actually dropped their opening game of the tournament to the Navy 7-6.

From there the Air Force rebounded with a 14-7 win over the Army, generally considered one of the top teams in the tournament.

The Air Force continued their rebound by hammering the Marines 25-3 in the nightcap, ending day one at 2-1.

The Air Force team continued their roll on day two of the tournament defeating the Army in their second matchup, 12-5. But a hard dose of reality came in the afternoon via the Marines in a 6-5 loss.

The sunk the Navy 11-3 that evening, while the Marines defeated the Army 8-6. Those two wins set up a showdown between the two 4-2 teams Friday morning.

Take control is exactly what the Air Force team did, handily defeating the Marines 13-4.

A win against the Navy in the afternoon would clinch the title for the Air Force. However, the Sailors wouldn't go down without a fight, losing a close 9-8 ball game.

With the title decided the Air Force came out Friday night for their final game with the Army relaxed. They took an early lead but found themselves down in the bottom of the seventh. Going out like champions, Flagg nailed a three-run, walk-off home run to win the game, 15-12.

At the conclusion of the tournament sports directors from each service named an all-tournament team and picked 15 players from all four Department of Defense services to represent the Armed Forces at the Amateur Softball Association's Men's Major Slow Pitch Tournament coming up in Johnson City, Tenn.