1st Annual Captain Scott Bierwiler Coed Softball Tournament [Archive]

04-26-2009, 10:53 AM

http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2009/apr/25/260000/ha-softball-tourney-raises-money-gives-family-supp/news/

BROOKSVILLE - Jason Jernigan backhanded a hard ground ball along the third base line and turned two to get the force out at second base.

The ball bounced off the heel of the second baseman's glove. It was still no outs and now there was a runner in scoring position.

Jernigan frowned for a second. He was frustrated, but not angry.

He didn't put nearly as much stock in Saturday's game as he did in the tournament itself. It was his baby.

Jernigan is a detective with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. His captain was Scott Bierwiler.

Bierwiler was killed on his way to work the morning of Feb. 19 in an automobile accident along Powell Road.

This weekend's co-ed softball tournament is dedicated to his memory. The money raised through the local sponsorships and entry fees will go toward his family.

"For the most part, most of these guys have played together," said Bierwiler's wife, Angie, who played for the Ghostriders, a team comprised of friends and family. "Scott would sometimes play during the year. It's just a great opportunity for us to get together, have some fun and laugh away some of the tears."

Some of the 15 teams already were set up and competing in local leagues. Others were put together during the last few weeks.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office received a flyer from Jurnigan and wasted no time assembling its own team.

"A flyer was forwarded to us, I contacted him and we got organized," said Sgt. Sharon Foshey, who was applying sunscreen on her face minutes before she and her team took the field. "It helps support his family, plus it gives us all a chance to get together."

Players included deputies from Pasco and Hernando counties, officers from the Brooksville Police Department and troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol. Many of their wives, sisters, girlfriends and relatives joined them on the diamonds.

Two games were played on side-by-side fields simultaneously throughout the day Saturday at the Jerome Brown Center. The double-elimination tournament will conclude following a 3:30 p.m. championship game today.

The winning team gets a trophy. Bierwiler's family will get a great deal of financial and moral support.

Angie Bierwiler chuckled when asked about the story behind her team name - Ghostriders. She wouldn't divulge much about it.

"Let's just say there's a big story behind that," she said.

Some of her friends came to watch some of the game. Their children had their own games to play Saturday, so they couldn't stay for the entire afternoon. They made certain they hugged her and wished her goodbye before they left. They told her they would call her soon.

Bierwiler, who works at the sheriff's office part time, was given a lot of attention. At one point during the first game, she had to ask someone had to pinch hit for her.

"It's very comforting being with everyone we've known for so long," she said. "Our social lives and career lives are all intertwined."