Senators start out on right foot

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SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The youthful 2007 Sheppard Senators have begun their campaign of rebuilding while trying to uphold the proud tradition of the varsity softball team's of the past.

In their first regular season outing, the Senators managed to secure a 19-5 win against the Expos. In their second game of the season, the Senators handed Hammertime a tough 26-7 loss.

In the first game, aggressive base running and timely directional hitting would decide the winner of this match up.

The Expos presented some initial problems for the Senators because of their sheer athleticism. They also are a very young team with a multitude of talented former baseball players.

Their infield played particularly well and forced the Senators to focus on base hitting. A strong wind blowing in from the outfield negated any home runs by either team.

Shawn Nunnally, who has yet make an out this season, was 3-for-3 and powered the Senator attack. His speed on both sides of the ball would prove very beneficial as he was able to thwart many potential Expos rallies and, at the same time, get extra bases on what most people would consider single-base hits.

Joe Calderon and Brian Seddon provided the very timely hitting that keeps rallies going as both were 3-for-4.

Seddon proved why experience is invaluable with consistent, effective pitching. He kep the Expos batters guessing all night. He was also strong at the plate with two line drive, fence-hitting doubles which resulted in the four RBI.

Vernon Anderson provided the Senators with the offensive punch needed from the bottom half of the line-up with a 2-for-3 effort.

Defensively, Clint Wilkerson and Mark West played very solid at the short stop and 2nd base position; routinely taking away opportunities for Expos base runners.

Coach Ron " Bama" Brown said the team is still growing and it will take some time before they can even think about playing to their full potential.

"Mistakes were made and we still have to learn to play our game regardless of the weather or a teams' defense, but it was a good first outing," he said.

In their second game, Nunnally was once again up to the task going 4-for-4, but this time he added a home run to right center field.

Calderon and Seddon went 4-for-4 and 3-for-3, respectively. Seddon also added a three-run dinger in the first inning.

Not to be outdone was newcomer Steve Bousquet, who went 3 for 3 including a crushing off the fence two-run double in the second inning.

Coach Brown said Bousquet is a very quiet, hard working and complete ballplayer than most people think.

"He may not realize his full potential, but we hope to bring that out in the coming weeks. He is definitely a surprise and a diamond in the rough," he said.

A very recent addition to the Senator roster, Joseph Shelton went 3-for-4 on the night and played brilliantly at third base.

"He simply executed consistently well at the hot corner," Brown said. "People tend to overlook the basics, and those people wind up on the losing end of the game."

Steven Dale went 3-for-4 with a dinger and Clifton Berger was 2-for-4. Both continue to improve and find their way on the ball field.

"Both players are immensely talented and have all kinds of potential," Brown said. We just have to get their best out of them.

"Dale, along side Nunnally, has made getting a routine hit anything but routine for the opposition. Berger is a naturally gifted athlete who simply makes plays. However the distinguishing thing about Berger is the raw power he displays. When he hits the ball, just get out of the way."

Joe Calderon pitched an outstanding game limiting Hammertime to seven hard-earned runs over five innings.

The Senators have several tournaments coming up in the next few weeks and Brown said they will help his team grow.

"It would be a huge mistake for anyone to think that they attained the kind of confidence and consistency needed to play at the higher levels of competition," he said. "We will really find out about ourselves as we face tougher competition down the line."

However, he said he believes this team has the potential, and that it is just a matter of time before they show what they can truly do.