705 MUNS wins title of intramural softball champions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D --  It was 75 degrees on the field and sweat dripped in the players' eyes as they were blinded by the rays of sun. The pitcher threw the ball. It went up and was lost in the glare of the sun, then suddenly appeared within reach. The batter swung, hitting the ball far enough to allow his teammate to take off for home.

That was the last play of the intramural softball championship game that took place Aug. 26 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and ended with the 705th Munitions Squadron beating the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron 9-5.

"That was the most intense moment for me during the entire game. The guy coming up behind me, not seeing me; the confusion," said Michael Phillips, captain of the 705 MUNS team. "I just started running and then I dove head first into home."

Though the game ended with the 705 MUNS earning the title of champions against the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron, it started out a little rocky.

"During the previous games we played, our bats were hot, but at the beginning of this game we had nothing," said Phillips. "We were hitting the softballs right at them and we couldn't get on base."

Aside from battling formidable opponents and the sun, the team also had to overcome the challenges of working different shifts, long hours and inspection times. Scheduling conflicts led to irregular practices, with some being missed altogether.

"Being on all different shifts made it difficult to get together for practice," Phillips said. "But because we work long hours around each other, that helped us become a closer group."

Riley O'Rourke, a 705 MUNS team member, stated the MUNS teammates are very supportive of each other, even when mistakes are made. He explained the game can be very intense, especially if a player's team is losing.

"The most important thing to me was making sure no one had their head down and that everyone was still having fun," said O'Rourke. "I want everyone to come back and play for the team again next year."

Despite being behind at first, all of their hard work paid off for the final game of the season.

"We had a mental block from not doing so good the first game, on top of being nervous," said Phillips.

After a quick pep-talk from Louis Kane, another 705 MUNS team member, they regrouped and attacked the opposition.

"I think Sgt. Kane was definitely our MVP of that game," said Phillips. "He brought us all together and reminded us that it's still anyone's game. Anything can happen."

O'Rourke agreed, stating that Kane is a superior motivator and helps keep things fun.

With lifted spirits and smiles on their faces, the team returned to the field and finished the game.

After spending most of the game "swinging on a prayer," a phrase the two used throughout the game, this victory was one that O'Rourke will remember for a long time.

"It was one that we worked for," said O'Rourke. "We came together, and knocked it out of the park."

Although they won, Phillips said that it was a close call, naming the 5th LRS as tough competition.

"That's how you want most championships to go," said Phillips. "LRS really made us earn it."