717 AMXS edges by 917 MXS 14-13 Published June 15, 2006 By Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio 917th Wing Public Affairs Barksdale AFB, La. -- The 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron won the Maintenance Group softball play offs Saturday, June 3, at the Barksdale AFB softball complex with a score of 14-13 against the second place team, the 917th Maintenance Squadron. For the third year in a row the 717 AMXS has dominated the softball field when challenged by their counterparts. The play-offs consisted of four teams playing double elimination. The 917 MXS defeated the 917th Maintenance Group/Maintenance Operations Squadron on one field umpired by Robert Tarter. Christopher Skomars blows his knee out about halfway through this game causing a loss of morale among his teammates who were unable to get back the momentum for the remainder of the game. Game ends...9-8. One of his MG/MOS teammates said his boo boo was the only reason they lost . Otherwise, they would have had a chance. On the adjacent field, the 717 AMXS defeated the 917 AMXS 15-1. At the top of the third inning the 717 AMXS brought in eight runs to put pressure on the 917 AMXS; the game was a landslide from there. The two winners faced off as the 917 MXS brought in two runs right off the bat as the 717 AMXS pulled together to hold the team back. Michael Wood crossed home plate to bring the score to 3-0 just before the last out of the fourth inning, but by the end of the fourth inning the 717 AMXS lagged 6-4. Mike Duell caught a pop up in the fifth inning for the 717 AMXS to put a stop to the runs and try to help his team turn the game around with the score of 8-6. Wood waited on first through a few hitters and finally made it to third base thanks to a hit by Terrance O’Neal, but he never made it home leaving the score 8-6 at the bottom of the sixth. The 717 AMXS was up to bat again with Edward Fairchild hitting a base run and making second off another base hit by Shawn Ward. Fairchild made it home off a pop up to center field by one of his teammates bringing the score to 8-7. It was all over but the crying over the next innings with the 717 AMXS taking the lead when Bob Murray brought in three runs with a hit that sent the ball rolling, bringing the score to 13-8 by the bottom of the sixth. The 917 MXS came back with a vengeance in the next inning, scoring five runs to bring the score to 13-13 by the end of the seventh inning. Kyle Muecke of the 717 AMXS hit a base run getting on first base followed by Mike Thornton with another base hit. With a man on first and second base, Randy Sorrell took the batting box bringing in one run putting the 717 AMXS in the lead 14-13. The 917 MXS had one more shot but Dan Dubard hit a popup caught by Randy Sorrell, ending the game.