Intramural Softball

Brandon Shelton, 436th Security Force Squadron, left, bumps fists with Tyler Evans, 436th SFS, right, at the end of the second inning in an intramural softball game June 17, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Evans is one of the newest players to the 436th SFS team and hit the only homerun for his team against the 373d Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

Jordan Hucks, 436th Security Forces Squadron, sprints towards home plate in an intramural softball game June 17, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th SFS was defeated in rematch of last year’s championship game against the 373d Training Squadron, 11-6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th Security Force Squadron player-coach, hits a softball during an intramural softball game June 17, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Bancroft is the new coach for the 436th SFS and hopes to lead his team to another championship. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Intramural Softball

James Keener, 373d Training Squadron, turns a double play during an intramural softball game against the 436th Security Forces Squadron June 17, 2015, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 373d TRS defeated the 436th SFS 11-6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Locking up a repeat: 436th SFS season gets off to rocky start

Published June 22, 2015
By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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

In any sport, there are pros and cons to winning the championship. You prove you are the best and you validate all your hard work, but you also paint a target on your back for the next season that everyone will be aiming for.

The 436th Security Force Squadron won the 2014 intramural softball championship in dramatic fashion last year against the 373d Training Squadron. But after losing many big sticks and veteran players, the 436th SFS is determined to stay on an already rocky path to another championship season.

In a rematch of last year's championship game, the 436th SFS and 373d TRS met on the diamond once again, but this time it was the 373d TRS that walked off the field victorious, 11-6. After losing their season opener and championship rematch, the 436th SFS is still searching for their first win of the season.

Kenneth Bancroft, 436th SFS player-coach, said his focus this year as the new team coach is to work with his rookie players.

"We are focusing on these guys that are brand new to the unit and we want to see what they can bring forth to the team," said Bancroft, "Once we figure that out, we can press on and hopefully win the championship again."

The 436th SFS came out swinging heavy in the opening inning and scored four runs while holding the 373d TRS to only one, giving them the early advantage. Then in the top of the second, rookie player Tyler Evans, 436th SFS, stepped up for his first at bat.

"It was a good pitch, I had a level swing and it just went," said Evans.

Evans cranked a homer over the centerfielder, establishing himself as a power-hitter and would be the only one to sail one over the fence for his team.

However, 373d TRS was not interested in losing again to the reigning champs. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the 373d TRS would take advantage of an error by the 436th SFS and a homerun hit by Benjamin Schaffer, 373d TRS player-coach, to give them their first lead of the game 7-6. The 373d TRS sealed the rematch with another four runs in the sixth inning while batting around the lineup and held the 436th SFS to a three-and-out during their final at bat.

"We had a slow start but we are going to be tough to beat as long as we are hitting like we did at the end of the game," said Schaffer. "They (436th SFS) are a good team and tough to beat because they run the bases and they are good in the field. We definitely look forward to meeting them later in the season."

Even as pressure mounts for the returning champs to get their first win, the players remained poised and focused on the task at hand.

"We just need to come out and start over next week," said Evans. "Start new; start fresh."