Chiefs, shirts win bragging rights

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman's chiefs and first sergeants defeated the colonels and commanders 17 to 7 May 6 at Johnson Field in the annual Chiefs versus Eagles softball game.

The Chiefs led throughout the game, powered by a six-run first inning. James Segler, 49th Force Support Squadron superintendent, capped off the Chief's first inning with a double that drove in two runs.

The second inning was much of the same story for the Chiefs. David Kalal, 49th Operations Group first sergeant, blasted a grand slam over the center-field wall, accounting for four of the Chief's five runs in the inning. Kalal's four-bagger was followed by a solo-home run from Segler.

James Tigue, 29th Attack Squadron superintendent, held the Eagle's bats at bay, pitching a shutout in the first and second innings and finally gave up one run in the third inning.

The Eagle's defense also kicked-into gear in the third inning, thanks to an inning-ending double play.

The Eagles, led by pitcher David Krumm, 49th Wing commander, gave up one run in the third and would go on to shut out the Chiefs in the fourth and fifth innings while also adding two runs in the third and fourth innings. With his team still trailing twelve to two, Krumm clobbered a three-run bomb over the fence in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Chiefs lead to seven.

The Chiefs responded in the top of the next and final inning, thanks to a three-run jack from Kalal, who finished the day three for four, with two home runs and eight runs batted in. The Chiefs added two more runs in the top half of the inning and went on to hold the Eagles to two runs in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

Chief Master Sgt. Gerardo Tapia, 49th Wing command chief, shared his thoughts on the game.

"The Chiefs versus Colonels (softball game) is an annual tradition that's played all over the world at every single Air Force base, so it's part of our culture," he said. "This is the second year in a row that we've won it. It was a long, hard-fought victory. For us to be able to come out here and show that even as old guys, we can still keep up with some of our young Airmen and especially the colonels, is a morale booster for all of us."

The game, which was held in conjunction with the base's Spring Fling, gave Airmen, chiefs and commanders alike a chance to unwind after earning an "Excellent" rating for Holloman's Operational Readiness Inspection, said Col. David Sullivan, 49th Wing vice commander.

"After a long ORI prep and a great ORI, the Spring Fling was a wonderful opportunity for the entire base to blow off some steam and build camaraderie in a controlled environment and have some fun with some chiefs and commanders," he said. "The commanders played a lot better this year, but today was the Chief's day."