With the game of softball having been a constant presence in Lindsay Ciullo's life since she was about five, it was only natural for it to overlap into her career in the Air Force.

The 26-year-old has taken the opportunity to serve her country while doing what she loves and run with it. Over the last four years, Cuillo has helped build the Air Force softball team into a force to be reckoned with among the other services' teams.

The staff sergeant with the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at McChord Field helped lead the Air Force team to a gold medal at the 2011 Armed Forces Softball Championships Sept. 17-23 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

"This year we were just all having fun and nobody could touch us," said Cuillo, a Sweet Home, Ore. resident.

The Air Force team defeated the Navy, 6-1, in the championship game to wrap up the title, finishing with a 7-1 tournament record. It was the third gold medal for Cuillo, who was voted the No. 1 catcher on the all-tournament team.

"For me, (softball) is what I love to do," she said. "When I go to camp to play, that's where I've met some of the best friends I've had in my life. We're all like family."

After being selected to play for the Air Force team while on active duty in 2008, Cuillo worked hard to keep her commitment to the team after joining the Air Force Reserve earlier this year.

It's more difficult for Reservists to play on the team due to the fact their unit may not have the funding to send them to play with the team. But Cuillo had a lot of support from the wing to keep her dream alive.

"My unit worked real hard to make it happen," said Cuillo, the lone Reservist on the team. "That, to me, was amazing. I was truly grateful to my unit and (446th AW Commander) Col. (Bruce) Bowers."

The Airman worked in the communications field while on active duty, but decided to separate to focus on getting her education. But she wanted to continue to serve so she switched career fields and joined the Reserves. Not many people in her Reserve unit know yet about her softball star status.

"I don't talk about it a lot," Cuillo said. "I don't like to talk about myself. It's a team thing. (All the players) know that we're here to support the Air Force and play well."

Cuillo's time playing with the Air Force team has helped her become a better ballplayer, she said, and she is intent on continuing to push herself. Despite the fact she has won three gold medals, she's hungry for more. One player on the team has eight. Cuillo would like to perhaps one day top that number.

"There is always room for improvement," she said. "You're always going to have something to work on."

Photo caption: Staff Sgt. Lindsay Cuillo, a Reservist with the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, plays catcher on the AIr Force softball team. /Chris Cokeing