Speed, determination takes Southern Trouble to finals

By Sharilyn Wells
Paraglide

	Photos by Sharilyn Wells/Paraglide Southern Trouble and their coaches celebrate their win on July 21, placing them in the women’s softball finals.

As the dark thunderstorm clouds slowly crept towards the softball field, the ladies of Southern Trouble headed onto the field the night of July 21. Placed third in the Fort Bragg women’s softball league, Southern Trouble had to beat Rosie’s Riveters 12-2 for a shot to compete in the finals. Southern Trouble showed no mercy as they knocked Rosie’s Riveters out of the competition.

Southern Trouble is made up of Air Force servicemembers or individuals having some tie to the Air Force Special Tactics Squadron. The name of the team, Southern Trouble Softball, was actually derived from the initials STS which, in the Air Force, stands for Special Tactics Squadron.

“The ladies are peaking as a team at just the right time of the season,” said Southern Trouble coach, Charles McHarney. “This team has been practicing since late March and always gives 100 percent regardless of the situation. It is very rewarding to see all of the hard paying off.”

Southern Trouble started out the Wednesday game by intentionally walking the second batter up from Rosie’s Riveters, Tiffany Brown. It was all smiles when she shot a look at McHarney, as he yelled back, “I’m scared of you girl.” The smiles soon vanished when she was walked three more times throughout the game.

Southern Trouble proved to have a strong infield defense, catching and tagging out Rosie’s Riveters’ players preventing them from scoring. Southern Trouble’s short stop, Sabrina Brletich, and second baseman Sam Klonk, were on fire grabbing low hits and stopping runners from passing second base.

With their coach telling them to be patient, Southern Trouble made base hits throughout the game allowing them to score four runs by the bottom of the third inning. Even though batting didn’t appear to be a strong point for Southern Trouble, Rosie’s Riveters lacked the ability to catch the low, short hits Southern Trouble sent their way.

With lightning threatening in the distance, Southern Trouble headed back onto the field in the top of the fourth. A hit by the Riveters sailed far and hard down center field. Crystal Deutsh raced after it, making a Hollywood movie grab causing the third out for Rosie’s Riveters and preventing a run to home from third base.

During the top of the sixth inning, Lori Saunders from Rosie’s Riveters hit a home run allowing for the Riveters to get on the scoreboard and yet again, Brown was intentionally walked. Brown tried to make a double base run as her teammate was tagged out on first but the Southern Trouble ladies were on it. As Brown was rounding third base, heading home, Southern Trouble catcher, Monica Lentz caught the ball stopping Brown in her tracks. Lentz prepared to throw back to third base as Brown pivoted to make it in time, but Brown tripped and fell, allowing Lentz to tag her out. At the top of the seventh, Southern Trouble still had the lead.

Southern Trouble, Amie O’Connor hit a home run hard and fast down center field, increasing the lead one more run. Ending the game, Lentz hit a double allowing teammate, Klonk to reach third, as time ran out. Southern Trouble made their way into the finals by beating Rosie’s Riveters by 10 runs.

“My strategy (for the win) was to seize the initiative early in the game, build some momentum, and finish the game strong. We have played this team three times this year and beat them once while losing to them twice,” said McHarney. “I was well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. I intentionally walked their two best hitters at strategic times in the game and that put us in advantageous fielding situations … Additionally, our bats got extremely hot towards the end of the game which allowed us to put them away.”

Still ranked third in the league, the following night, July 22, Southern Trouble went up against the Womack softball team in the finals, losing 2 to 5. McHarney wasn’t able to be there for the final due to an emergency at work and couldn’t get away. After the loss, he expressed his apologies to the ladies for not being there for them. But in true team fashion, they understood his reasonings and accepted his apology.

“This team has been playing in the Fort Bragg league for four years and most of the players had never even really swung a bat before joining this team,” said McHarney. “What makes this team special is that we are more like a Family. Nobody on this team wants to let each other down, every member of this team holds themselves accountable, win or lose.”

Womack went up against the Lady Patriots in the Fort Bragg championship, losing 8-11. The Lady Patriots stand strong as the league’s champions.

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