U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

In Any Clime and Place

SOCPAC crushes Annihilators, 30-2, during final game of season

By Lance Cpl. Ronald Stauffer | June 24, 2008

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Phil Hutchins, Annihilators’ head coach and second baseman, reaches to tag a SOCPAC runner out at second base during the final 2008 Camp Smith Intramural Softball League game at Bordelon Field June 19 here.

Phil Hutchins, Annihilators’ head coach and second baseman, reaches to tag a SOCPAC runner out at second base during the final 2008 Camp Smith Intramural Softball League game at Bordelon Field June 19 here. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)


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Vanessa Soto, Annihilators’ center fielder, cuts into a pitch during the final 2008 Camp Smith Intramural Softball League game at Bordelon Field June 19 here.

Vanessa Soto, Annihilators’ center fielder, cuts into a pitch during the final 2008 Camp Smith Intramural Softball League game at Bordelon Field June 19 here. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)


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CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- Special Operations Command, Pacific demolished the Annihilators, from U.S. Pacific Command, 30-2, during the final 2008 Camp Smith Intramural Softball League game at Bordelon Field June 19, here. Excellent

Though it seemed the Annihilators had a fighting chance, SOCPAC quickly destroyed their hope of victory with 16 runs in the fifth inning.

Coming into the game with a 5-0 season record, SOCPAC swept the Annihilators’ defense with low-fly balls and line drives down the base lines, giving them the advantage in the scorebooks and achieving a perfect season.

“The last time we met them the score was 25-3, but I’m very optimistic,” said Xavier Myers, SOCPAC head coach, before the game. “Every time they play, they get better.”

Myers attributes the team’s outstanding season to the dedication of the players and their hitting expertise.

On the other side of the plate, Phil Hutchins, Annihilators’ head coach, prepared his team for battle and one last game before the championship tournament.

“They’re a real strong team and they’ve got experience,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins said his team came out with the attitude to win, but they’re out on the field, playing to have fun.

The Annihilators’ batters came out swinging, but were quickly shut down as a result of SOCPAC’s intense fielding.

Answering back to the quick first half-inning, the Annihilators allowed Chris “The Hulk” Howard, SOCPAC’s second baseman, to score the first run of the game before snuffing the offense and getting back to the plate.

Looking to be a closely-matched game throughout the first inning, SOCPAC closed down the Annihilators’ batters and cracked their own bats in the following inning.

Smashing line-drive balls over the infield and sending runners around the bases, SOCPAC brought in seven runs before they took the field again and leading 8-0.

Both teams stepped up their defense during the third inning, allowing no runs.

“It’s been a challenging game and we’re not playing as good as we should be,” Myers said after the brief inning. “I never underestimate my opponent though.”

The Annihilators put their first two runs on the score board during the fourth inning, but permitted six SOCPAC runs before the inning was finished, with SOCPAC still in the lead, 14-2.

Coming into the final inning of the game, SOCPAC turned up the heat after Myers shattered the Annihilators defense, hitting the first home run of the game.

As the inning rolled on, so did the line drives, penetrating through the Annihilators’ infield.

After two more home runs, and numerous RBIs, totaling 16 runs, SOCPAC clinched the fifth inning, the game and their perfect season with a final score of 30-2.

“Offensively we were clicking and we minimized theirs,” Myers said.

He said the team played how they practiced, and with out a doubt their batting led to the win. He feels the team has an excellent chance at winning the championship tournament, but it’s still unknown because teams practice and get better in time.

Hutchins also looked forward to the tournament, despite his team’s performance.

“They kept our outfielders busy all day, but we could have kept the ball in front of us and been better with the bats,” Hutchins said after the game. “We’re going to come out with our big sticks for the tournament.”

The tournament is scheduled for June 24 at Bordelon Field at 11 a.m., with the championship game to be played June 26.