CES/CONS bumbles game 1, cruises in game 2 to secure championship

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Civil Engineer Squadron-Contracting Squadron needed only one victory to secure the base softball championship, as they defeated the 317th Operations Support Squadron 13-3 in the second game Aug. 14. 

The heavily-favored CES/CONS were expected to cruise to a championship after finishing the regular season as the No. 1 team in the league. However, the 317th OSS jumped out front in game one, taking a commanding lead in the top of the fifth with a four-run two-out rally to lead 11-5. 

The CES/CONS continued to struggle defensively in the top of the seventh allowing two more runs to score to make it 13-6. 

In the bottom of the seventh, CES/CONS rediscovered their bats and made a serious run at winning the championship in game one. After scoring three runs on four consecutive hits, CES/CONS were able to load the bases, placing the winning run at the plate. However, they were only able to score one more run as the 317th OSS won game 13-10. 

If there was any doubt that CES/CONS bats wouldn't stay hot, the team put the question to rest in the bottom of the second. Trailing by one run and with two outs, CES/CONS put up a four-run rally, capping it with a bases-loaded triple and taking the lead for good, 6-3. In the bottom of the fourth, CES/CONS padded their lead with a 2-run scoring sacrifice fly that was just feet from being a grand slam. 

A.J. Oldfather helped keep the 317th OSS at bay, making multiple key defensive plays at third base. The 317th OSS was unable to catch any offensive fire after their emotional game one victory, scoring their only 3 runs in the first two innings. 

Besides deployments, roster changes and other distractions, team members from the 317th had to play after a sergeant from the 317th Airlift Group had passed away. 

Team members from the 317th OSS agreed that they played the game with heavy hearts. 

"We dedicated that first game to Joey," said Joel Salazar. 

Technical Sergeant Joey Link passed away earlier in the week while serving with the 317th AG overseas. 

While the 317th OSS was playing through an emotional time, the 7th CES/CONS were facing their own adversity as well. 

"We lost a couple of players to deployments and TDYs," Oldfather said. "It forced us to adjust, but we pulled everyone together at that the right time to reach our goal." 

The 7th Bomb Wing commander was also in attendance and said he was impressed with each team's efforts. 

"It can be tough when you working through deployments and a heavy work load here," Col. Timothy Ray said. "Its great that these Airmen can come out here and have fun through a tough, competitive game."