Twyla Sears of Okinawa’s Kadena Air Base, the 2004 All-Armed Forces pitcher and 2005 Air Force women’s Athlete of the Year; and 2004-05 All-Armed Forces outfielder Kischa Scott-McCloud of Osan Air Base, South Korea, are among seven Pacific Air Forces players selected for August’s All-Air Force women’s softball tryout camp at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

PACAF comprises 32 percent of the 22-player field to vie for spots on the All-Air Force team, slated to defend its championship in the All-Armed Forces tournament Aug. 20-25 at Hill Air Force Base.

“I owe PACAF a debt of gratitude,” fifth-year Air Force coach Billy Hardy said.

Kadena leads overseas bases in selections for the fourth straight year. The Falcons base team has sent eight players to 13 tryouts since 2003; Sears, Shannon Thomas, Amanda Snyder, Candace Dugo and Peni Neri have attended twice each and Braun and Rayburn once. Jamie Bailey, a Marine formerly assigned to Kadena, went to the All-Marine camp twice during her time on Okinawa.

Hardy called coaching on the part of Al Lozano and assistant George Shaffer the key to that success. Lozano “is getting the best players the Air Force has to offer out there and most are fundamentally sound, which makes my job easier,” Hardy said. “He’s been one of my biggest supporters. I respect what he’s doing. We love him.”

Joining Sears are Kadena’s catcher Darlene Rayburn and second baseman Katherine Braun, who were selected to the camp for the first time.

Lozano and Shaffer “emphasize team play, and we encourage our players to go represent their service,” Lozano said. “We’re proud of that. We just hope they do well and make their team.”

Besides Scott-McCloud from Korea, 2005 All-Air Force outfielder Katie Blair and 2003 All-Air Force second baseman Latricia Munday of Kunsan Air Base got the nod, as did 2004 All-Air Force outfielder Latonya Mathis of Osan.

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