Fire Rescue Defeats Sheriff’s Office in Charity Softball Match

Volusia County Fire Rescue defeated the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office 26-6 in a charity softball match held at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach on July 22. The inaugural event between the two first responder agencies raised more than $70,000, with funds designated for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Volusia Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. The collaboration was initiated by Fire Chief Joe King and Sheriff Mike Chitwood to foster community engagement and support local charitable causes.

Sheriff Chitwood described the donation total as unexpected, noting that it was unlikely the first attempt would yield such a significant amount. He stated that while he had participated in numerous similar events throughout his career, the community’s response exceeded initial projections. The event featured a 12-spot batting order and four outfielders per side, with Spruce Creek High School’s district champion softball team serving as the on-field umpires and pitchers for both organisations.

Firefighter Branton Strickland led his team with eight runs batted in, including two inside-the-park home runs, one of which was a grand slam. Strickland, a 2023 graduate of Taylor Middle-High School, dedicated his performance to his late younger sister, Lily, who died of leukemia in March. He drew an 'L' in the batter’s box before each at-bat in her honour. Volusia Fire outhit the Sheriff’s Office 32 to nine, with Strickland, Scott Ryan, Steve Szabo, Jeremy Armstrong, and Patrick Cullinane recording at least three hits each.

Scott Ryan led all players with a perfect 4-for-4 batting performance, including two singles, a double, and an inside-the-park home run. The Sheriff’s Office struggled to counter the pitching of fire department ace and head coach Jimmy Lucas. In the sixth inning, with the Sheriff’s Office trailing 18-2, Sheriff Chitwood temporarily swore in Spruce Creek players as deputies to bat for the police team, allowing the high school athletes to provide entertainment for the crowd.

The Sheriff’s Office scored in the fifth and sixth innings of the seventh, including an inside-the-park home run by Anthony Shank, but the final score remained 26-6. Sheriff Chitwood alluded to a potential rematch in 2027 following the game. Fire Chief Joe King credited the successful organisation to the behind-the-scenes efforts of both agencies, emphasising the collaborative nature of the event despite the competitive outcome.