In a huge improvement from their 2016 performance, Team Lionakis stepped up to the plate at this year’s Annual Softball Tournament on Saturday, August 12—placing second overall. Beating out the competition in 4 out of 6 games, Lionakis fell just short of the trophy, which went to the team from State Water Resources Control Board.

Starting at 8 AM, teams of architecture & engineering firms from around the capitol region competed in the single-day tournament to snag the 2017 season trophy. Lionakis battled teams from Capital Engineering, Miyamoto, Clark Pacific, Buehler & Buehler and lastly, the State Water Resources Control Board. After achieving victory against Capital Engineering in their first game 10-3, they went on to take a second victory from Miyamoto at 9-4. With little time to rest, Lionakis gained another victory over Clark Pacific in their fourth game of the day.

As a top ranking team, Lionakis went on to face the only other undefeated team of the championship, Sacramento Water Resources Control Board, who were ultimately victorious over Lionakis. After a tough loss, Lionakis went in and claimed victory in a close competition with Buehler & Buehler, garnering them a spot in the final game of the tournament, up against the only team to beat them.

After over 6 hours of games played in a temperature reaching 98 degrees, Lionakis lost by just three runs in a final score of 7-4. Having played one more game than their competitor, the team truly did the Lionakis name proud. The hard work and perseverance of the team led to a second place ranking for the 2017 season—Now it’s time to start training to place first in 2018!