An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Lackland NCO helps AF capture Armed Forces softball title

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Ellis
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  After failing to win a title since 2011, a Joint Base San Antonio Airman was instrumental in helping the Air Force capture the Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship title last month at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lyndsay Moen, a native of Sherwood, Arkansas, and diet therapist with the 59th Medical Wing, was one of only 15 women selected for the 2014 All-Air Force Women's Softball Team.

Moen has been playing softball since she was 12 years old and even has high school game experience, but she was still unsure of her odds of competing on such a high level and making the team.

"I'm happy I was able to tryout," said Moen. "I was excited, but also a little nervous because l didn't know the level of talent I would be going up against."

Comprised of more rookies than veterans, this year's team was definitely talented.

"I knew from day one that we had tremendous talent on the team. It was awesome how nine rookies and six veterans came together. Everybody just clicked on the field, offensively and defensively," she said.

The team lost its first match against the All-Army team but bounced back to win the next eight consecutive games, finishing the tournament 8-1 en route to the title.

"We all kept our sights on our overall goal - to win the gold medal," said Moen. "We had some people doubting us, so that just made the victory that much better. It's amazing what a team can accomplish when they respect and have faith in one another."

Senior Master Sgt. Salomon Vieyra, the first-year All-Air Force Women's Softball Team coach, described Moen's play as "great" throughout the entire tournament.

"During the fifth game of the tournament against the Marines team, Moen really displayed her skills," he said.

"With runners in scoring position, a ball was hit to right-center field; Moen dove and made a spectacular catch for the final out of the inning," said Vieyra. "That kept any runs from scoring, which helped preserve our lead and ultimately win the game.

"Winning that game gave us the momentum to take the gold medal from the two-time defending champion Army team," he added.

Moen credits her father for her drive to succeed. "He taught me to never give up, be confident and willing to work hard for what I want," she said.

The team only lost one game and averaged more than seven runs per outing, so it will be interesting to see how the defending champions perform next year.

"I'm thankful that I was able to be a part of something so grand," said Moen. "If the opportunity presents itself, I would tryout again in hopes of earning another gold medal for the Air Force."