MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., -- T he Commanding General’s Intramural All- Women’s Softball League came to a close Nov. 21, 2011 with the league’s two top teams battling it out into overtime. In the end, Where My Pitches? walked away with the trophy in hand after a one-point lead.
S.W.A.T and Where My Pitches? teams, nearly equal in talent and skill, kept each other at bay nearly the entire game. At the bottom of the seventh they were tied 7-7.
“I just told them to do what we do,” said Where My Pitches? coach Steve Bilderain, just before the game went into overtime.
The top of the eighth is where the game got interesting.
The S.W.A.T took a huge lead, scoring four runs.
Where My Pitches?, knowing this was their last chance to claim victory, were all in. They pulled ahead of S.W.A.T., 12-11, cinching the title of champions.
“They are dedicated women. When they came out to play softball, they showed up to play and win,” Bilderain said.
A blur of pink jerseys, the color of Where My Pitches?, streaked across the field with excitement over the win followed by a traditional Gatorade shower for the coach, in the freezing weather.
“The season has been amazing,” said Where’s My Pitches? pitcher, Rose Silvas. “I’m so happy they brought the [women’s] season back. There is a lot of talent out here.”
The victors were sure to give credit where credit is due, recognizing the competition as their main motivation to excel.
“I have to say thanks to [the S.W.A.T. team] for setting the bar,” Bilderain said. “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be this good.”
After the game, the two coaches, who are teammates on the base varsity softball team, joked about the season.