Pickens County Journalism Since 1999
Guns & Hoses: Law enforcement and firefighters battle in softball tournament at Pickens High School on Saturday, May 31
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor
It was a battle on the bases as law enforcement and firefighters enjoyed a friendly rivalry, with their families cheering them on, in the event by the Pickens County Youth Board of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County. The four-game softball tournament began at 4 p.m. on the softball field at Pickens High School on Saturday, May 31, 2025 and was three and a half hours of fun for players and spectators.
The first game was a match-up between the Pickens Police Department and the Easley Fire Department. In the second game, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office took on members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. In the third game, the Pickens Police Department (winner of the first game) fought the Easley Police Department. In the fourth and final game, the Pickens Police Department (winner of the third game) challenged the South Carolina Highway Patrol (winner of the second game). The South Carolina Highway Patrol prevailed in the championship game.
Below, view 135 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle from the four-game tournament.
Pictured are members of the Pickens County Youth Board before the start of the tournament -- standing: Madison Vanderbrink, Matthew Yates, and Connor Swords, sitting: Audrey Mengel and Toni Grace Howard (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Some scenes from the first game of the tournament: Pickens police officers versus Easley firefighters (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The ball flies over the fence during the first game, and this young man catches it. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Mother and daughter Rebecca and Reese Summey watch their husband and father, Johnny Summey, from the Easley Fire Department, play in the first game of the tournament. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Some scenes from the second game of the tournament: the Pickens County Sheriff's Office versus the South Carolina Highway Patrol (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Some scenes from the third game of the tournament: the Pickens Police Department versus the Easley Police Department (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Ripken Dunlap serves as the bat boy for the Easley Police Department during the third game of the tournament. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Sydney and Raya Runser cheer on their Dad, playing for the Easley Police Department during the third game. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
(Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
(Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Some scenes from the fourth game of the tournament: the Pickens Police Department versus the South Carolina Highway Patrol (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The South Carolina Highway Patrol team wins the championship game. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
