Firefighters defeat police officers in annual charity softball game

For the second straight year, it took late heroics by the members of the Taylor Fire Department to defeat their counterparts from the Taylor Police Department in the second annual softball game to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The game, played on World Series Field at Heritage Park, saw the firefighters defeat the police officers, 11-9.

The police team took a 5-0 lead in the first inning, thanks mainly to a grand slam by Sgt. Jim Martin – the first of three home runs by Martin during the game.

The firefighters battled back and the game was tied at 9-9 after seven innings. In the eighth, the team in red scored two unearned run to go ahead to stay.

Fire Medic Scott Barry had two homers for the firefighters. Lt. Russ McNamee had one home run and knocked in the eventual winning runs.

“It was definitely a great game,” said Taylor police Cpl. Jeff Shewchuk, who organized the game with Fire Medic Joe Ajlouny. “It was very competitive. I have to hand it to the Fire Department. They have a great team. They made very few errors in the game and were able to capitalize and get the win.”

Ajlouny agreed that the competition was fierce.

“The competitiveness between the two departments stands out again,” he said. “The police played great, like they do in every other sport. We were able to capitalize. We played like a real team – like we do when we’re working.”

Police Cpl. Aaron Shrewsbury won the home run derby held before the game. Fire Medic Ron Evina was the runner-up.

Ajlouny added that the “real winners of the game were the kids in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.” Between ticket sales and donations from the police and fire unions, Shewchuk estimated the contribution to Make-A-Wish would be $2,500.

Taylor firefighters and police officers meet throughout the year in softball, soccer and hockey games, all of which raise money for a charity.

The next contest will be the annual hockey game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. November 7 at the Taylor Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road. The police officers are undefeated in the long hockey rivalry.

The game will benefit the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, which provides food to more than 500 families and individuals throughout the year. The Police Department’s Holly McGeogh Memorial Scholarship Fund will receive part of the proceeds.

Tickets to the game are $5. Former Detroit Red Wing John Ogrodnick will sign autographs at the game, courtesy of the Load One trucking company in Taylor.

To view the photo gallery from the game, click here: http://www.cityoftaylor.com/image/tid/181