MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON,Calif. -- There was an aroma of hotdogs and reverberation of aluminum bats slapping softballs across the 14 area softball field during the Pendleton Cup Softball Leagues’ Championship Game, Aug. 26.

Seven teams came out this year to compete in the most intense series Camp Pendleton has ever hosted, said Earl Bolanos, director, Camp Pendleton varsity softball team.

The seven teams that participated in this year’s Camp Pendleton Softball Cup Series were 1st Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.       

While Marine Logistics Group fought hard to defend their championship title, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton proved to be too much by crushing them in a 16-0 victory.

“Our team has been practicing hard since March,” said Armando Delsi, head coach, MCB Camp Pendleton. “That’s what I believe was the key factor to our success this tournament.”

Delsi has been able to produce nine championship wins as the MCB head coach.

MCB came out swinging and were able to bring in an astounding 12 runs in the first inning, with the help of two home runs by Joseph Reney and Robert Chute.

Throughout the tournament MCB produced more than 170 runs and finished with a record of 8-0.

MCB relentless defense kept a noticeable goose egg on MLG’s side of the score board for the rest of the game. And even though MCB’s defense was great this year, Delsi says next year it will be even more solid.

“The caliber of ball that these young men are playing at is astonishing,” said Bolanos. “Every year the level of talent seems to get better.”

For more information about the upcoming 2010 softball season, contact Camp Pendleton’s athletic director Tom Fisher at (760) 763-5519. 

All participants must be active duty military.