Swingers take two from Geckos Published June 12, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Swingers, a perennial kingpin of the Tinker Intramural Softball League, reasserted their dominance on the diamond with a convincing 18-10 and 16-8 doubleheader sweep of the Geckos June 8 at the Tinker Sports Complex Field One. Robert Mahan, Swingers manager said his team won't be in full force until July, so the game against the Geckos would give him a chance to see where his team stacks up against the rest of the league. Both teams headed into the contest trying to find its groove during the early stages of the season. The Geckos got off to a rousing start behind the clutch hitting of outfielder Bob Sandlin, who went three-for-three with two doubles and three runs batted in. The Geckos had an 8-4 lead through two innings. The Swingers then put their big sticks in motion. The hit parade was led by first baseman Bud Cox, whose three home runs and eight RBIs helped his team build an 18-8 lead. The Geckos scored two more runs to make the game one final score 18-10. "We tried to match them run for run," said Joe Sanchez of the Geckos. "It worked early on, but the Swingers had timely hitting giving them the victory." The second game brought more of the same. The hot and timely hitting of Cox, right fielder Bama Phillips, third baseman Ruben Martinez, and left fielder Steven Keirstead enabled the Swingers to take a 16-9 victory. "We played a real tight game with the Swingers," said Geckos pitcher Robert Cole. "They got key hits and scored runs in bunches." Cox homered twice in game two, giving him five dingers on the day. Phillips, Martinez and Keirstead lead the way for the Swingers with a combined 12 hits and 12 RBIs. The win keeps the Swingers in first place with a 4-0 record. The loss drops the Geckos to 1-3.