Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin Wooddy | Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Juan Nevarez, from Oakland, Calif., and Personnel...... read more read more
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The moment played out the same way so many of us practiced as children in the backyard with friends. She recalled the setting as if she was stepping to the plate for game seven of the World Series and she needed to come through in the clutch.
“It was one out, runner on third, extra innings and we were facing the Army team,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Gray of Maple Heights, Ohio. “I hit the ball in the air, and I remembered being disappointed that I didn’t get the hit. But then I turned around and everyone was going crazy because we won on a sacrifice fly.”
The win was monumental for many reasons.
Gray had just helped the All-Navy Women’s Softball Team beat Army after a close loss the year before.
“The best part was winning that game for the Veterans of the team,” said Gray. “I just remember our captain (Machinery Repairman 1st Class Ashley Camp, USS Abraham Lincoln) coming over and hugging me.”
“It was awesome to see our girls pull off the win,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Juan Nevarez of Oakland, California.
Nevarez was also there for the game because he was the captain and starting third baseman of the All-Navy Men’s Softball Team.
Being chosen for an All-Navy Team is considered by many an honor and a great way to represent the Navy and the command in which they come from. For Nevarez and Gray, it was an opportunity for them to represent the same community; Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC).
“It has been an honor to serve on the team eight times, and I hope to make the cut a few more times if it’s meant to be,” said Nevarez. “It’s definitely getting harder to compete and play with 22-year-olds, but I think I have a couple of years left in me before I have to hang up my All-Navy hat.”
After enduring the summer heat and making the team in Pensacola, Florida, where the try-outs were held, Nevarez set two goals.
“For myself, I wanted to be a team captain so that I could really have an impact when trying to get the team to gel,” said Nevarez. “Then I wanted to get us a medal.”
The last time the Navy Men’s Softball Team won a medal was during the first season of the Armed Forces Softball Tournament in 1997.
“The Air Force and the Army usually win everything and sometimes you can sprinkle the Marines in there,” said Nevarez. “In fact, the best record we had before this season was in 2004 when we went four and five.”
On Sept. 15, the team participated in the All-Armed Forces Softball Championship at Fort Sill, in Lawton, Oklahoma.
After the first three days of the tournament, the Navy amassed a record of four wins and two losses. Their next game against the Air Force would decide who would play in the championship.
“I just remember the final out,” said Nevarez. “It was hit to our left fielder. The second it was in the air I knew we had it.”
The game ended with a Navy victory, securing their first medal since 1997.
“I had to take a minute and let it soak in,” said Nevarez. “It was big for the team, but for those guys that had been out there with me before, it was even better.”
The Navy lost a tough game to the Army in the championship game but Nevarez went home with a silver medal, all-tournament team honors, a spot on the All-Armed Forces Team and the statistical feat of hitting the most home runs in the tournament.
Gray had a different experience with the All-Navy Women’s Softball Team.
“I almost didn’t even try out again, but Chief Nevarez, the people I work with in Admin and my father encouraged me to try at least one more time, and as luck would have it I made it,” said Gray who was chosen as an outfielder.
“I was excited to make the team because this year I wasn’t just playing for me,” said Gray.
Gray became emotional as she explained that she was determined to make the team for her father, a retired Navy chief, who has been in the hospital for the past seven months.
“My dad was the biggest inspiration this year to make the team because he has always supported my athletics since I was a child,” said Gray. “Although I got cut last year, he motivated me throughout the year to submit my package to try out for the team again. His faith in me as a Sailor, athlete and daughter are nothing shy of amazing, and that’s why he’s my biggest fan. He wasn’t able to come and watch me play this, but if he had been able to travel, he definitely would have. He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams of being an All-Navy athlete.”
Making the team meant that she was able to play for her branch, and her command but most importantly to Gray, her father.
“It was a relief to make it,” said Gray. “For me, it wasn’t about my batting average or how many home runs I hit. I just wanted to go out and represent while earning the respect of others.”
Nevarez and Gray understand the significance of not only making their teams but representing the same command.
“It was awesome to be there for the big moments,” said Nevarez. “It’s something that we won’t forget.”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2014 15:11 |
| Story ID: | 148285 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Hometown: | MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH, US |
| Hometown: | OAKLAND, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 543 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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