After a disappointing IM softball experience as a freshman, Dave Hine (sophomore-aerospace engineering) began this season determined to be part of a winner. And last night, he was.

"This feels freaking awesome!" Hine said. "I could die tomorrow and be happy."

Hine and The Fighting Amish, came through with a 5-0 victory last night over The Pollock Peaches for the men's open chammpionship.

Hine took a few players from his team last year, and with the help of Eric Stauffer (sophomore-physical education/kinesiology), he assembled a team that they believed could contend for a championship.

"We thought that if we had good guys, we'd have a shot," said Stauffer. "We wanted to have a chance to win it all."

Hine and Stauffer's team, The Fighting Amish, came through with a 5-0 victory last night over The Pollock Peaches.

Before the game began, the Amish appeared very loose, but Hine cautioned that the lackadaisical approach would change come game time.

"We're joking right now," Hine said before the game began, "but once the lights come on we're all about softball."

Hine made good on his word early, driving in Dan Zecher (freshman-business management) for the first run of the game in the second inning.

The Amish added three runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to clinch the victory.

Even when he wasn't on the field, Hine's vocal leadership skills were apparent as he yelled encouragement to teammates throughout the game.

However, Hine wouldn't take credit for being a leader on the team, saying that everyone on the team leads in his own way.

Tom Ajderian (sophomore-kinesiology) agreed.

"This team is its own heart and soul," he said.

The Amish were also helped out by about twenty fans, some of which were wearing homemade white out shirts in support of the team.

"We wanted to come and support them," said Carrie Adams (sophomore-Spanish education). "I feel like we [give them the] edge over the other team. We're kind of loud and obnoxious and we keep them excited."

The fans were loud and excited throughout the game, even doing the wave at one point.

Hine credits the crowd with keeping the team pumped.

"The crowd support was amazing," Hine said after the game.

After the final out was recorded the fans rushed onto the field to celebrate with their victorious friends.

While elation was evident on the side of the Amish, the Peaches left the field filled with disappointment.

"We felt really confident [going into the game]," said senior Benjamin J. Miller (senior-secondary education social studies). "We went up against teams that were more talented than us, and we managed to squeak out wins, and we felt that we could beat pretty much anybody. But congratulations to them. They beat us straight up."

This year was the first time the Peaches had made the playoffs, and Miller is proud to be a part of this team.

"We always came one game shy of making the playoffs, so we were happy to be here," said Miller.

Although this was his final game as a Peach, Miller expects the namesake to continue after this season.

"The team's gonna stay together," said Miller. "We've got some freshman this year and we've got some juniors that are gonna lead the team next year. We plan on this being a tradition."

While Miller won't be a part of the Peaches next year, Hine plans to return to the Amish and he is predicting more success in the future.

"The Amish will return," Hine said. "We're going for three years in a row."