34th CCS sweeps doubleheader in intramural softball Published July 21, 2008 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The intramural softball season is rounding the bases and on July 17, the two top-seeded teams in the Thursday night league faced off against each other for supremacy at the Tinker Sports Complex Championship Field. The result was a doubleheader sweep by the 34th Combat Communications Squadron over Northrop Grumman 18-10 and 15-6. Both teams were extremely confident going into the match-up. "These two games should decide the Thursday night league regular season title," said Jeffrey Inferrere, second baseman and captain for the 34th CCS. The first game got off to a flying start as the first batter for the Northrop Grumman side, shortstop Kevin Rieff, blasted a solo home run over the left-field fence giving his side an early 1-0 lead. The 34th CCS rebounded in their half of the second inning by plating eight runs of their own. This rampage was highlighted by a two-run home run by third baseman Joshua Rietz. This lead would never be surrendered for the rest of game one. The consistent hitting by the 34th CCS continued through the 2nd and 3rd innings as they pushed across a total of 14 run runs giving them a 14-1 advantage. Northrop Grumman mounted a valiant comeback in the top of the fourth inning as they scored eight runs of their own. This comeback was highlighted by Josh Walker who hit a towering blast over the centerfield fence cutting the lead to 14-9. "Come on guys. We are back in this game," said Rieff. The rally was short lived as the 34th CCS scored four more runs over the next two innings giving them an 18-10 triumph in game one of this pivotal match up. "Our team has been playing together for quite awhile and we rely on our experience to achieve this victory," said Inferrere. The second game started with a different flavor than the first. After Northrop Grumman surrendered three runs in the top of the first, they capitalized on their hot bats and scored five runs to give them a 5-3 lead. This onslaught was driven by centerfielder Bill Flanders and Walker, who each drove in two runs apiece with a triple and double respectively. The 34th CCS came back in the fourth and fifth innings with two-out rally's to secure the victory. These rallied were keyed by two-run doubles by right field Trent Winkelman and first baseman Alan Cabrera. This pushed the 34th CCS to an insurmountable lead 15-6. This victory by the 34th CCS over Northrop Grumman gave them the Thursday night league regular season title. This follows on the heels of their 2007 runner-up slot in last year's base championship. The doubleheader sweep by the 34th CCS gave them an unblemished 12-0 record while the loss dropped Northrop Grumman to 8-2. "Our team rallied in game two with two-out rallies and we were able to keep our composure and keep our opponents at bay," said Inferrere.