Intramural Softball

Adam Paini, 436th Security Forces Squadron pitcher, pitches a softball to a 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron player, during an intramural softball game July 6, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. This is Paini’s first year pitching for the 436th SFS and he tossed two strike outs during the game. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th Security Forces Squadron player-coach, grabs a bat on his way to the batter’s box during an intramural softball game July 6, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th SFS were defeated by the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 18-12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th Security Forces Squadron player-coach, fields a ground ball during an intramural softball game against the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron July 6, 2015, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th SFS are the defending intramural softball champions and are struggling to guard their title during the regular season with a record of 1-6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

An umpire brushes off home plate after a player from the 436th Security Forces Squadron slid in for a run during an intramural softball game July 6, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th SFS fell short against the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 18-12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th Security Forces Squadron, and Edward Laurie, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, both player-coaches, hug each other after an intramural softball game July 6, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The matchup between the two teams is considered to be one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Locking up a repeat: 436th SFS stuck in a rut

Published July 14, 2015
By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- This story is the second in a five-part series highlighting last year's intramural softball team's attempt to defend their title.

Every champion has faced hardships and struggles on his way to glory. Overcoming ups and downs is what separates champions from their lesser counterparts.

The 436th Security Forces Squadron, defending intramural softball champions, is enduring the lowest point they have seen in years and the coming weeks will determine if they still have the desire and drive to be known as champions.

In a bitter 18-12 defeat to the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 436th SFS fell to 1-6 in the season and are now faced with a massive uphill battle to try and make an appearance in the playoffs.

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th SFS player-coach, said team attendance is hindering their ability to secure a consistent lineup and win games.

"What's killing us is people not showing up," said Bancroft. "We don't have the same guys showing up week after week so it's killing our lineups and our ability to field a team."

Even though the 436th SFS had the minimum amount of players, the game lived up to the hype of what many consider to be the must-watch game of the season. The 436th SFS were down 7-14 going into the sixth inning but a grand slam and another homerun put them back in the game at 12-14. However, 436th AMXS answered with two home runs of their own closing out the sixth inning, 18-12. A quick three-and-out at the start the seventh ended the game and added another loss to the 436th SFS record.

"We faced a really good team today, I'm surprised we were able to stay in it as long as we did," said Bancroft.

Edward Laurie, 436th AMXS player-coach, said the 436th SFS is their favorite team to play and he expected them to come out determined to win.

"For them not having their normal team, they came out and played really well," said Laurie. "We knew this wasn't going to be the same security forces team as last year, but they are always determined to win and gave us a good game."

As the playoffs continue to slip away from the 436th SFS grasps, Bancroft and the rest of his team will not be going down without a fight.

"Even if we don't make it to the playoffs this year, we are going to come out and do our best and make it that much harder for every other team." said Bancroft.