You can find fastpitch softball everywhere as the sport continues to grow across the globe.
But did you know the U.S. military has the four divisions of the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines compete for armed forces bragging rights?
That’s right—the four branches each fields a team and last Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2023), they met at the USA Softball National Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City in an event hosted by USA Softball.
Steven Dinote of the U.S. Armed Forces Sports Dept. wrote a nice summary of the championship game and let’s just say that—when it comes to softball this year—those who patrol the sea have the advantage over those who mind the air and land!
Here’s the article that was published on the Armed Forces Sports webpage…
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – All-Navy Women’s team stun an undefeated Army team winning the championship game of the 2023 Armed Forces Women’s Softball Championship with a score of 8-6 here at the USA Softball National Hall of Fame Stadium Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Navy racked up 15 hits to score eight runs for their second consecutive Armed Forces title.
Army went undefeated in the triple round robin going 9-0 and dominated the score board. Their only loss was during the championship game against Navy.
Navy opened the first inning with a 5-0 lead and never trailed the match. Down 8-3, Army mounted a comeback in the sixth inning adding three runs, but Navy’s defense held the line for the win.
Air Force went 4-5, placing third as Marine Corps finished fourth going 1-9.
In the final games of the third round, Marine Corps played spoiler by defeating Navy 12-11 after scoring five in the seventh inning.
With hopes to reach the championship game, Air Force needed a win over Army in their final game. However, Army had other plans and grounded the Air Force 15-5.
The 2023 Armed Forces Championship was hosted by USA Softball at their National Hall of Fame Stadium Complex. USA Softball is the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States and the Armed Forces Sports program is a proud affiliated member.
“We are honored to welcome the 2023 Armed Forces National Championship to the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex,” said USA Softball Chief Executive Office, Craig Cress.
“We’ve had the privilege of assisting with this tournament in the past but being able to provide the hospitality and experience of the Softball Capital of the World to our military members and their families has been a bucket list item for many years. USA Softball takes tremendous pride in our relationship with the Armed Forces”.
The top players from the Armed Forces Championship were selected to represent the U.S. Armed Forces by a selection committee.
— Steven Dinote/U.S. Armed Forces Sports Dept.
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Below are the names of the All-Tournament Team and the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Softball Team.
All-Tournament Team:
ENS Selena Serna* (USCG), USCG, Long Beach, CA
PO2 Valerie Proulx (Navy), NS Norfolk, VA
TSgt Hannah Lynch (USAF), Misawa AB, Japan
A1C Amelia Cutchlow (USAF), Maxwell AFB, AL
TSgt Ashley Culp (USAF), Aviano AB, Italy
SSG Brittany Stein (Army), Fort Bliss, TX
SPC Brooke Scott (Army), Fort Campbell, KY
SGT Melina Wilkinson (Army), Joint Base Lewis-McCord, WA
SFC Mary Joan Patten (Army), Decatur, IL
SSG Erica Damone (Army), Fort Jackson, SC
SPC Brittney Pressler (Army), Fort Carson, CO
U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Softball Team (based on availability)
SGT Melina Wilkinson (Army), Joint Base Lewis-McCord, WA
TSgt Hannah Lynch (USAF), Misawa AB, Japan
ENS Selena Serna* (USCG), USCG, Long Beach, CA
SFC Mary Joan Patten (Army), Decatur, IL
SSG Erica Damone (Army), Fort Jackson, SC
A1C Amelia Cutchlow (USAF), Maxwell AFB, AL
PO2 Valerie Proulx (Navy), NS Norfolk, VA
TSgt Ashley Culp (USAF), Aviano AB, Italy
SSG Brittany Stein (Army), Fort Bliss, TX
CPT Christine Clark (Army), Taunton, MA
SPC Yahelis Munoz-Cardona (Army), Fort Bliss, TX
1LT Hannah Vet (Army), Ansbach, Germany
SSgt Claudia Montalvo (USMC), MCB Camp Pendleton, CA
MSgt Katelyn King (USAF), Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
Sgt Lexi Legrand (USMC), MCB Quantico, VA
* – member of the United States Coast Guard
