AUGUSTA, Ga. –The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield women’s softball team took home the championship trophy after competing in the Thunder Over Augusta Armed Forces Day Tournament, May 19.

The team, better known as “Just Us,” tested their grit against crews from Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky in a grueling single-elimination tournament. After advancing to the championship, “Just Us” sent home “Team Shaw Fuego” from Shaw Air Force Base following a 13-2 win.

“I am so proud of our team,” said Sgt. Kayla Hammonds, Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “We went there with the mission to win and didn’t stop until we had that trophy.”

Five players with “Just Us” also made the All-Tournament Team: Staff Sgt. Shannika Taylor, Signal Company, Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion; Sgt. 1st Class Lashawnda Cole, DHHB; Toiva Loftis, Department of the Army Civilian; and military spouses Kina Davis and Dane Noto. Taylor was also named the tournament’s most valuable player

The team will continue to play and compete in similar tournaments throughout the summer.

“[Playing softball] is a great way to get to know other females from the other brigades and work together to achieve a common goal,” said Spc. Melinda Wilkerson, Company C, 703rd BSB, 4th IBCT. “I couldn’t be happier with my teammates.”

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