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Thumpers, Okies split on diamond

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Battle lines were drawn as two teams representing the Air Force Reserve squared off on the softball diamond June 18.

The 513th Air Control Group Thumpers held bragging rights after their 14-6 win in the first game, but the 507th Air Control Wing Okies came back to win the second 17-15.

"We always play our best against these guys," said Ralph Hawkins, Thumpers manager. "Over the years, players have switched sides and this is always a great and friendly rivalry."

In the first game, first baseman Joe Brown and right fielder Jim Gasaway led the Thumpers hit parade. Both players stroked home runs in the pivotal third inning, giving the Thumpers a 10-3 lead.

The Okies attempted to rebound in the fourth and fifth innings, but were stymied with only three runs. Center fielder Jeff Milliken and left fielder Mario Cruz each had two hits for the Okies.

The Thumpers rounded out the scoring with Brown's two-run double in the fifth inning. The win was the Thumpers third consecutive victory of the season.

"Our team had timely hitting and our defense -- especially (the play of) Gonzales -- was the key to victory," said Brown.

Okies head coach Brian Finley predicted a different outcome in the second game of the doubleheader.

"Our bats were silent in the first game," he said. "I definitely think our performance will be much better in game two."

The Thumpers jumped out to a 13-4 lead through the first three innings of the second game. The onslaught was led by Gasaway, Brown and Gonzales, who each had two hits and two RBIs. Things changed in the fifth inning. Poor defense and great hitting spurred on the Okies.

Leading the Okies comeback were Cruz, pitcher Shad MacFarlane, left fielder TJ Milliken and third baseman Mike Templeman. They combined for nine hits and 12 RBIs to help the Okies rally for the 17-15 win.

"We always knew we had the talent to beat the Thumpers," Finley said. "We just have to be consistent and the wins will come."

The doubleheader split kept both teams in their same position in the standings. The Thumpers are 3-1 and the Okies are 1-3.