Savannah River Nuclear Solutions recently held their 14th annual SRS Softball Tournament on June 18 and 20 raising more than $18,500 for several local United Way agencies located throughout the Central Savannah River Area.  Savannah River Site contractor employees raised the money through concession sales and other fundraising efforts made by volunteers from SRNS, United Way of the CSRA and United Way of Aiken County. A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to each team’s United Way agency of choice.

Throwing the ceremonial opening pitch to kick off the two-night tournament was Wyatt Clark, SRNS Senior Vice President of Environmental Management Operations.  Participating in the tournament were 18 teams with over 270 players and coaches representing multiple SRS contractors, including SRNS, Savannah River Remediation and Parsons.

The EM Ops Team USA, who sponsored Area Churches Together Serving, defended their title as champions, defeating Engineering Purple Reign with a score of 20-5.  EM Ops Team USA team captain Daniel Billings said, “Events like these give us the opportunity to impact the community while having fun. I would like to thank all the volunteers who made the tournament such a success, especially the umpires that stood out in the heat all day.”

Tournament organizer and SRNS employee Eric Schiefer was an inaugural participant of the SRS Softball Tournament and has played in the highly competitive event every year. “As the tournament’s popularity increases each year, the more money we are able to raise for such a worthy cause. This year we had 14 SRNS teams participating, which is the most ever. I would have never envisioned the tournament becoming an event of this magnitude when it first started 13 years ago,” said Schiefer.

Sharon Rodgers, President of the United Way of Aiken County stated, “We are so appreciative of the Site’s support through special events like this that allow the community to come together and make an impact in the lives’ of others. I look forward to this tournament every summer because it provides an opportunity for friends and family to spend a few evenings together cheering for their team, while raising much-needed funds for our member agencies which focus on education, financial stability, health and assistance in crisis.”