TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall Lady Tigers made the 13-hour trip to Lackland AFB, Texas, recently with one thing in mind - bring the Air Education and Training Command softball championship trophy back to Florida where it belongs, and they did.

"The ladies set out to win this tournament from day one and their determination showed in all the practice sections leading up to the weekend," said Daryl Shines, Tyndall Lady Tigers coach. "I could see things coming together, but as a coach you never want your team to think they have nothing more to work on. I knew this could be a special weekend."

For the past five years, AETC teams have gathered annually at Lackland AFB to participate in the command's Varsity Men's and Women's Softball Championships.

"It was the best experience ever," said Gracie Clowe, team pitcher. "I enjoyed meeting other women who love playing softball as much as I do."

The tournament lasts five days and is full of intense softball competition, fun and camaraderie.

"What the creators did not know at the time, was the pride this tournament would instill in the team that was fortunate enough to be on top when the dust settled," said Shines.

The Lady Tigers were first pitted against the Altus AFB, Okla. team, easily defeating them by winning 29-2. With a first baseman taken out of the game for medical reasons, the Lady Tigersstruggled through the second game, losing to the Lackland AFB team with a score of 13-11. They would go on to win their next two games, proving victorious as command-wide champions.

"Tyndall dispatched its first two opponents in the double-elimination portion of the tournament with little resistance," said Shines. "Sheppard AFB, Texas, fell with a final score of 15-9 and Maxwell AFB, Ala. was no match, falling to Tyndall 10-5. The third game was one of the most exciting games I have ever been involved with, Tyndall versus Randolph AFB."

That was the game that determined who would go to the championship game undefeated.

"The game was back and forth right down to the last-at-bat when Randolph, in their half of the last inning, scored five runs after being down 13-10 to lead 15-13," said Shines. "Tyndall started the inning with a solid hit from Rhonda Hayes, but the next two batters flew out. An intentional walk from Tricia Bell and a single from Laura McCarn drove in Hayes, and left runners on first and second. With two outs, Tyndall was now down by one run."

The action didn't stop there.

"To the plate stepped Jessica Leopp, and with one swing of the bat, she hit a line drive over the head of the right center fielder and drove Bell home from second. On her horse, McCarn flew around the bases and scored the winning run from first base," the coach said.

In the championship game, Tyndall took the opportunity to win over Lackland AFB, 7-5.

"I could not be prouder of this group of women ... the way they battled all weekend, and never for one moment, got down on themselves," said Shines. "This was a great weekend of softball and a coach's dream. I can call the team I coach champions! That's bragging rights for a year."

Six team players will go to the all tournament team: Jessica Leopp, Karrie Warren, Donna Moses, Tricia Bell, Gracie Clowe, and Laura McCarn. Warren was deemed the tournament's "Most Valuable Player," with unmatched outfield play, a .778 batting average, 10 runs scored and 11 runs batted in.

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates," said Clowe, who plans on playing again next year.