MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- Marines and sailors from the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune area gathered aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River to enjoy the Marine Corps Community Services’ Summer Slam Softball Tournament, Aug. 9.
Starting in the early morning hours, the tournament was a hit with nine teams from various units participating, giving their all in hopes to win the tournament.
With the intramural softball league held aboard air station just ending, the league champions from Marine Medium Tiltrotor 266 were the heavy favorites to win the tournament said Chris Miller, MCCS youth sports coordinator.
With the teams fresh off the end of the intramural league, the players were in form with games closely contested until the very end.
“This was our first summer slam and the tournament was fantastic” said Miller. “We were really impressed with the competitiveness of the teams and the fight everyone had in them.”
The tournament ran from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with the final match being a rematch of the intramural finals between the 266 Griffins and the 302 Phoenix teams.
The game was a close match with both teams scoring runs to keep in competitive until the end, where the Phoenix team would rise from the ashes of their defeat in the intramural league and emerge the victors of the Summer Slam Softball Tournament.
“This tournament was amazing and a great time for our guys,” said Brent Hendrix, a crew chief with Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 and Easley, South Carolina native. “We definitely came back after a long season. We have a new team with a lot of great players and potential, and this redemption win was sweet.”