By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

Staff members at Vaughan Regional Medical Center stole the crown from residents of UAB Selma Family Medicine after beating its softball rivals 23-8 in the two medical staffs’ annual charity softball game at Bloch Park Friday.

UAB was the defending champions two years running heading into the game, but a big third inning from Vaughan ended the drought.

“This year made up for all of the years that they won,” said Vaughan head coach John Fails. “I think we did good this year. Last year we waited too late to start batting, but this year, after the second inning, I put the lineup like it was supposed to be so we could come together, and that’s what happened.”

UAB looked like they were going to win again after scoring eight runs right off the bat, but Vaughan answered back in the third inning with 13 runs and played solid defense the remainder of the game.

The comeback started when West Primm smashed a RBI-triple down the third baseline to pull Vaughan within one. He later scored to tie the game 8-8.

Vaughan played like revenge was on its mind and did not settle for a tie.

Fails knocked in another run to give Vaughan its first lead of the game and his team kept the momentum running. After two more home runs, Vaughan had a 15-8 lead.

“I think we definitely need to practice a lot more,” said second year resident Dr. Sravan Reddy. “We need to come back stronger next year. These guys are a new group of residents. They’re definitely more determined to come back stronger.”

Team Vaughan tacked on eight more runs before it was all said and done and Sharesha Sneed made an athletic catch on a hard-hit ball to center field to end the ballgame.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed that we lost, but it was a good thing that a lot of people came out and enjoyed themselves hopefully,” Reddy said. “It was a great game. Luckily there weren’t any major injuries. Good turnout.”

All proceeds from the game are going to the Doc-In-A-Bus program, a free clinic for uninsured patients that was started in 2008.

The two medical staffs helped raise over $500 last year and hope this year’s game raised over $1,000.

“It feels real good,” Fails said. “They [were] bragging last year, but we got them back and showed them who really is the boss.”