Chiefs win Fourth of July softball game

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Donnelly
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The heavy hitting Chiefs demolished the Eagles, 28-11, at the annual Chiefs vs. Eagles softball game at RAF Feltwell during the Fourth of July Celebration.

The Chiefs were able to run-up the score with hit after hit and gained a comfortable lead with 4 runs in the first inning, while holding the Eagles scoreless.

"We haven't won since 2003," said Chief Master Sgt. Kenui Balutski, 48th Mission Support Group chief enlisted manager, before the game. "We should have the motivation to do pretty well."

The Eagles closed the gap in the second inning, scoring 3 runs while holding the Chiefs to a big zero, brining the Eagles within a run of a comeback.

Capt. Gregory Bodenstein, 48th Fighter Wing executive officer, said, "We're just warming up."

However, the Eagles hopes of a comeback disappeared in the third inning as the Chiefs secured their victory forcing the officials to enforce the 10-run mercy rule when Master Sgt. Rafael Chacon, 48th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, knocked the ball out of the park with bases loaded for a grand slam.

Rumors jokingly began to run through the Eagles dugout of how they were letting the Chiefs win since the Eagles had gone undefeated for three consecutive years.

The game continued to get out of control in the fourth, with the Chiefs almost enacting the mercy rule again with 9 runs.

"It was a good game. Everybody played hard and had fun," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey B. Williams, 48th Fighter Wing. "It was about camaraderie and bringing the family to watch us play.

In the end, the Chiefs walked away with the victory and hopes of starting their own streak, while the Eagles will have to look ahead to next year to bring victory back to their side.

Information courtesy of Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis