By Thirty-two teams entered, but only one emerged victorious.
After an exciting weekend full of drama and unexpected twists, the ROTC team debuted and claimed the championship title at Carroll College’s annual Softball Weekend.
The weekend saw 55 games played, with teams from all corners of the college competing for the top spot.
The semi-finals were an all-out battle, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. Patrick Harris, the head of the event, set the tone early.
“This is the semifinals, whoever wins these two games moves to the championship games. Right now we have the Keel Potters going against ROTC and the Masters facing off against Shake That Base.”
The previous year’s champions were notably absent from the finals, knocked out the night before in a stunning upset.
The Masters managed to sneak into the championship match after a close semifinal against Shake That Base. Shake That Base hit a home run that would have tied the game, but a technicality ruled in the Masters’ favor, allowing them to advance. .
“The bases were loaded. I heard my teammate say 80% because we were already up by one home run and if we hit another it would be considered an out,” said Sam Conner, a psychology major who played for Shake that Base.
“I made contact with the bat and it ended the game as the third out for us as the ball was out of the park.”
Despite the close game in the semifinals a technicality on a late-game home run gave the Masters the edge pushing their way to the championship game.
“It’s kinda like a comeback story. We didn’t win any of our games last year, and now we’ve won eight straight,” said Laruen Tuss, a biology major.
But the true surprise of the weekend was the ROTC team, making their first appearance in two years with a completely new roster. Their debut was nothing short of remarkable.
“Every team was bringing their A-game this weekend,” said Patrick Harris, reflecting on the competitive spirit of the tournament.
With the ROTC and the Masters now set for a faceoff in the championship, it was anyone’s game. The final score of 22-12 in the seventh inning capped off what was a dominating performance by ROTC.
The ROTC team held strong throughout the match, with steady performances from players like Tristan Pyette, a Junior health science major, and Kati Slater, a Junior health science major. They tacked on a few more runs in the final inning to firmly secure their lead.
In the final inning of their championship match, Tristan Pyette delivered a three-run home run that sealed the victory for ROTC.
“I didn’t think I had that power in me. I just dug down deep and then just BAM” said Pyette, who couldn’t believe his game-changing blast. “That home run brought everyone home for the win.”
The Masters, though resilient, couldn’t mount a successful comeback.
In total, the weekend saw 55 games played across a series of competitive rounds, showcasing not only the athleticism but also the sportsmanship that has come to define Softball Weekend over the years.
“The event has grown a lot over the years,” said Harris. “It’s great to see everyone, students, faculty, staff, all coming together to enjoy the weekend.”
Members of winning team include: Kathryn Slater, Alyssa Lybbert, Kenna Thomas, Elizabeth Koerber, Madelyn, Jerny Crawford, Tristen Pyette, Augustus Nunez, Tucker Love, Tanner Grove, Gannon Roeper, Jacob Bates, Nolan Deleon
