Air Force women sweep Armed Forces softball tourney

8/14/2002 - NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The overcast skies and occasional sprinkles couldn't dampen the spirits of the military women's softball teams when they met here Aug. 7-9 for the 2002 Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship.

The Air Force team dominated the field, sweeping the series 9-0 and taking first place from the defending champion Army squad.

Led by head coach Master Sgt. William Hardy of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and his assistant, Master Sgt. Mark Asbury, Eglin AFB, Fla., the team snared the lead in a 26-13 win over Navy in Game 1. Thanks to a coordinated outfield, and several homers by Senior Airman Monica Everett, Moody AFB, Ga., the group remained undefeated in the tournament.

The Army team, led by head coach Gerald Corcoran, York, Pa., took second place overall at 4-5. The Marine Corps team, coached by Master Gunnery Sgt. Dave Heald of Camp Lejeune, N.C., went 3-6 and Navy, behind Master Chief Petty Officer Jim Butters, Afloat Training Group, Naval Station Mayport, Miss., rounded out the field at 2-7.

"Our hitting has kept us in the game. It's made the difference," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rhonda Hayes, Tyndall AFB, Fla. "We played well as a team. We have excellent talent."

The chance to compete against members of the other services made the event worthwhile, said Marine Lance Cpl. Miranda Hamby of Camp Geiger, N.C. "No matter what the outcome, we've worked really hard. We get along really well. It was a great experience."

"We played awesome," remarked Navy Petty Officer 2nd class Ashley Camp, USS Ronald Reagan. "We'll all keep in touch."

Chosen for the all-tournament team in each position were pitcher, Air Force Staff Sgt. Laurie Doughty, Fort Bragg, N.C.; catcher, Army Sgt. 1st Class Lucy Geidner, Alexandria, Va.; first base, Tschache; second base, Air Force Airman 1st Class Autumn Brown, Kirtland AFB, N.M.; third base, Carr; and shortstop, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl Trapnell, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outfielders chosen were Watkins; Air Force Staff Sgt. Karrie Warren, Tyndall AFB; Everett; and Air Force Senior Airman Toni Owens, McChord AFB, Wash. Air Force Capt. Marcy May of MacDill AFB, Fla. was named as an extra hitter.

Service representatives picked 15 of the players to an armed forces team that will compete Aug. 15 to 18 at the National Women's Championships in Tifton, Ga.

Members of the armed forces softball team are Doughty, Geidner, Brown, Carr, Trapnell, Owens, Watkins, Bomer and May; Army Sgt. Michelle Saunders, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Air Force Airman 1st Class Virginia Gowin, Hurlburt Field; Army 2nd Lt. Kendra Allen, Camp Carroll, South Korea; Army Sgt. Michelle Murga, Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Army Staff Sgt. Charisa Jordan, Kaiserslautern, Germany; and Army 1st Lt. Angie Diebal, Fort Hood, Texas. Corcoran was named head coach and Asbury, the assistant coach.