MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- No mercy was given to the Patrol Squadron 47 Golden Swordsmen from the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 Warriors when they defeated VP-47, 16-1, after four innings during an intramural league baseball game at Riseley Field, March 12.
Both teams had promising reputations for being well-rounded in batting and fielding. VP-47 batted first as a courtesy to the visiting team, but MALS-24 made it clear from the start it was not going to let VP-47 gain the upper hand.
Tim Horne, MALS-24 pitcher, threw fastballs, which struck out one batter and ousted two more trying to take first base. The top of the first inning finished quickly, but MALS-24 and its outfield hitting dominated the bottom of the first.
Within the first few minutes, MALS-24 made enough hits to load the bases. Andrew Little, MALS-24 center outfield and head coach, had a close call when he bunted a ball that rolled toward the first base line. Little barely scraped by the pitcher who tried to toss it to his first baseman but ran out of time.
“The team is playing really well overall, but we need to watch those careless hits,” Little said. “Despite what the score says, VP-47 is a worthy team to play against.”
By the end of the first inning, MALS-24 drove in six runs. VP-47 was determined to catch up but couldn’t make contact with Horne’s pitches. VP-47 realized its chances of winning the game were coming up short when it couldn’t put people on base.
After a few batters, three outs were gained and MALS-24 went to bat again. In effort to salvage its defense, VP-47 changed out pitchers and put in T.J. Stecker, who gained a quick out.
MALS-24 countered once again with outfield hitting and loading the bases. The score eventually climbed in MALS-24’s favor to 13-0 at the end of the second inning.
“We definitely need to concentrate on our hitting in this next inning,” Stecker said. “It would be monumentally helpful to us if we had a batting cage here on base, but at this point we’re only playing for fun and don’t care who wins.”
According to intramural league rules, if a team has a 15-point lead over the other team by the end of the fourth inning, the game will automatically end. VP-47 failed to achieve any runs in the top of the third but MALS-24 achieved its remaining two.
With the score 15-0 at the top of the fourth, VP-47’s only hope to stay alive was to achieve one run. With a stroke of luck and a good hit, VP-47 achieved its wish but didn’t make anymore. MALS-24 went to bat again and made another run, ending the game 16-1 at the end of the fourth inning.
“This was a great game,” said Devan Ruble, MALS-24 left outfield. “We were strong and we hustled a lot, but we have some work to get done and skills to improve before the playoffs. Right now we relax a little when we have a far lead, but the playoffs will be different and we need to stay ready.”