MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The “Warriors” of Headquarters Battalion defeated Federal Fire Department B, 28-13, during an intramural softball game at Riseley Field Oct. 4.
With “Fed Fire” entering this game with a record of 7-6, the Warriors were feeling confident about playing them.
As the Warriors made hit after hit, the score jumped to 18-0 10 minutes into the top of the first inning. After a hit down the middle, Warriors’ Giovanni Dominguez rounded third and found himself between Fed Fire’s catcher and third baseman, but as the ball slipped out of the catcher’s glove, Dominguez found his opportunity to run in bringing the score to 19-0.
“We’re just starting,” said Warriors head coach Romeo Ibrao at the top of the first inning. “We’re just getting batting practice in. The longer you stay up to bat, the more swings you’ll get, and that’s what we’re doing.”
As Fed Fire took to the plate, they knew they had some catching up to do. Coach Joshua Emmanuel smacked the ball deep into left field to bring home four runs. By the end of the inning, the Warriors were allowed only a few more runs to come in, ending the first inning 19-7.
In the second inning, with runners on second and third base, Warriors’ Travis Eslinger came up to bat. The ball floated his way, and he smashed it deep into center field to bring home three runs bumping the score up to, 26-7.
At the bottom of the second inning, the bases were loaded. Wanting to bring his team out of the hole they were in, Emmanuel smacked the ball, sending it into left field past the Warriors defense to bring the score up to 26-13.
Once again, Eslinger came up to bat in the top of the third inning. Trying to shut Fed Fire out, he hit another home run to bring the score to 28-13. Fed Fire had no chance in the third inning as the Warriors’ outfielders caught balls that were hit their way, ending the game.
“We were lacking our team,” said Emmanuel. “A majority of them had to work overtime, so we had to grab players from other teams to play with us. We also need to make base hits. Instead of going for the home run, we need more base hits. That’s what we’re lacking.”
On the other side of the field, the Warriors celebrated the fact they are starting to come together as a team.
“There was a lot of good team effort, we’re starting to gel together,” said Richard Caplette, Warriors’ shortstop. “We have a good core of players.
“One player doesn’t carry the team. We lose people all the time, and we have someone who picks up right where they left. Most importantly though, we’re having fun together.
“The other team played as individuals, whereas we played as one. They lacked the team concept,” he said. “Come to the playoffs though – nobody wants to play the Warriors. We are the team to beat. As far as we’re concerned, all the other teams are playing for second place.”