Championships close out intramural softball season Published Sept. 2, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- What a way to end the intramural softball season. The 72nd SFS Defenders worked their way out of the losers' playoff bracket to win the military championship. And, the Swingers won the civilian championship -- and bragging rights --for the seventh year in a row. Thumpers Co-ed also took home the co-ed championship win. On Aug. 25, the evening began at 5:30 p.m. when the 72nd SFS met Thumpers at Championship Field. The game began slow, but the crowd kept it intense cheering for their respective teams. In the first inning, the SFS scored two runs and Thumpers struck out. In the second, SFS scored two more runs and the Thumpers tried to catch up, scoring three runs. Going into the top of the third inning, SFS led 4-3, and wasn't about to let the Thumpers take their lead. The team scored 10 runs including a homerun by Ernie "Surb" Surber, batted around and managed to damage home-base. During a play at home, in which a SFS player safely slid into home, the plate was pulled up. After several minutes, the umpires and Surber were able to push it back into place. When the Thumpers came up to bat, they scored a single run. In the top of the fourth inning, with SFS leading by 10, SFS scored two more runs, bringing the score to 16-4. With the Thumpers up to bat, they tried to close the gap, but only scored two runs, which happened to be from in-park home runs hit by A.J. Jones and Matt Portino. SFS won the game, 16-6. "The Defenders dominated their opponents from the first inning on -- in both offensive and defensive play -- and as a result, they are now our 2011 Base Champions," said a fan who asked to remain anonymous. "It was inspiring to watch this group of individuals perform as a finely tuned team -- with precision, power and pride! I learned a lot about overcoming adversity too as I know they had to climb your way out of the losers bracket to achieve this level of success!" Following the military championship, the Swingers took to the field against SFS to defend their title as civilian champions. Like the previous game, the first inning began slowly. SFS scored one run and struck out the Swingers. Going into the second inning, it was a different story. SFS scored three runs, but Swingers managed 10. Similar to the previous game's third inning, the Swingers went through their lineup rotation one-and-a-half times and hit three homeruns, which brought home five runners. Two homeruns were hit by Jimmy Bland and one by Doak Wishon. With the Swingers leading 10-4, they were out of homeruns, but not the least bit concerned. SFS scored five more runs in the top of the third inning and the Swingers scored eight. At the top of the fourth inning, Swingers still led, 18-9, but the gap would soon close. Surber hit two homeruns and SFS scored nine runs. The Swingers scored only one run. At the top of the fifth inning, Swingers led by one at 19-18. SFS didn't score a single run and Swingers scored only one. In the top of the sixth inning, Swingers led by two runs at 20-18. SFS scored one run, but the Swingers scored five. Needing six runs to stay in the game, the SFS began the seventh inning, but quickly struck out. The game ended with Swingers winning 25-19. "They had a good team and it was a great season," said Swingers coach Robert Mahan. "With two great teams, that's the way a season should end." On Field 3, Thumpers Co-Ed played Jay's Wrecking Crew for the co-ed championship. Jay's won the first game 10-6 and needed to win the second game for the championship win, but slipped when Thumpers won 18-15.