OAKHURST – The play was fast-paced and the rivalry fierce during the 2nd annual Guns & Hoses Slow Pitch Softball Tournament last Saturday. But when all was said and done, the Guns defended their title and took home the trophy.
Calling themselves “Victorious Secret,” the CHP officers and Sheriff’s deputies lost one in the quarter-finals, but came back to win the day.
The tournament was also a fundraising success for the YHS Lady Badgers Softball Teams, and the competitors thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Here’s a rundown of the day’s competition from Beth Adkins, YHS Softball Varsity Team Mom:
The four teams participating included:
– Victorious Secret (CHP/SO) This well-organized team came prepared to write tickets and take names, and had numbered team jerseys made just for the event.
– Pitches Be Crazy (YHS Alumni) Came hoping youth would prevail over experience.
– The Extinguishers (Cal Fire) Provided strength and training, but due to an early fire season depleting their ranks, they needed a hand from a few of our Lady Badger softball players to field a full team. The girls happily obliged.
– The Fire Dogs (Madera County Fire) included some valiant volunteers, and also required the loan of a handful of Lady Badgers.
Playing on the varsity field, Game 1 pitted Pitches Be Crazy against Victorious Secret. I’m not sure what secret they used, but the Guns were indeed victorious over the alumni by a score of 19-11.
During the same time period on the JV field, hoses were measured, so to speak as the Fire Dogs of County Fire battled The Extinguishers of Cal Fire. Offering a good soaking, Cal Fire came up with a win of 35-1.
Advancing to Game 3, Cal Fire also extinguished Victorious Secret 16-14. In Game 4, taking place concurrently on the JV field, the alums of Pitches Be Crazy dug in their badger claws and buried the Fire Dogs with a final score of 46-4.
In Game 5, the alums of Pitches Be Crazy met Victorious Secret once again. This time the secret was revealed; experience over youth, as the CHP/Sheriffs squashed the alums 21-9.
The Championship Game took place on the Varsity field with the undefeated Cal Fire team looking to continue their winning streak against Victorious Secret.
The tense, but entertaining game was tied 13-13 in the seventh, when the Guns team pulled off one final run, handing Cal Fire their first defeat of the day.
As per tournament rules, this forced an additional game between the two rivals, each struggling after a full day of play.
In the end, Victorious Secret lived up to its name, with the Guns winning our second annual tournament, and defending their title.
Editor’s note: This was an absolute blast! Everybody had a great time and these guys were definitely there to play hard and win. Thanks to the YHS Softball Lady Badgers for putting on this event. Can’t wait for next year!
