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The Championship Game was a rematch of the Re-Entry vs. SC Sluggers regular season game, in which Re-Entry lost in a close contest by the score of 20--16. On this afternoon, it was a game for the Championship T-shirts. In the top of the first inning, the first two Re-Entry batters hit consecutive singles. Following a groundout, Elijah blasted a double to deep left center field, but a strong throw from the outfield left runners on second and third with only one run scoring. What followed was the critical play that changed the psychology of the game. Andrew hit a ground ball to the hole between second and third. As the shortstop field the ball, Joe who was the runner at third hesitated. This allowed Andrew to beat the throw to first base. Meanwhile, Joe broke for the plate. The first baseman threw a strike to the catcher as Joe slid under the tag. Joe was safe, but the lone umpire on the field who was positioned up the first base line called Joe out. With no video repeal available, Re-Entry was denied the run and a potentially big inning. Mike followed with an RBI single to left field, with Elijah scoring easily for the second Re-Entry run, but that was the end of the scoring, as Katie grounded into a force play to end the inning.

The SC Sluggers responded with a big inning. Aided by a number of defensive miscues by Re-Entry, including a missed opportunity 6-4-3 double play when the throw to first base was wild, SC Sluggers plated ten runs with only one recorded out. The ten run rule was invoked and Re-Entry now trailed by a score of 10--2.

In essence, that first inning ended all Re-Entry hopes of a three-peat in the Championship game. From then on, the Re-Entry bats went quiet, recording only four singles over the next five innings. The SC Sluggers, an all male squad made up of members of the UCSC baseball club, subsequently went on cruise control, fielding only six players over the the last three innings. The Re-Entry defense recovered from the calamitous first inning and gave up only four more runs during the remainder of the game. But, in the absence of any sustained offensive rallies, there was little chance of a comeback.

In the top of the last inning, Re-Entry made one final attempt to make the score respectable. After an inning opening single by Mike, Bryce hit a line drive toward center field for a double (as the SC Sluggers had only two outfielders at the time). With second and third base occupied and one out, Spencer drove in the final Re-Entry run with a groundout to the shortstop. A line drive snagged by the second baseman off of Geena's bat was the third and final out of the game.

One cannot argue much against the decisive victory by the SC Sluggers in the Championship Game. However, this game represents the final nail in the coffin for Intramurals coed softball at UCSC. This season, the UCSC Intrmurals softball league consisted of five coed teams and one all male team made up of members of the UCSC men's baseball club. Indeed, Re-Entry prevailed as the Champion among the five coed teams with an undefeated record. But, it was predictable from the start of the season that the SC Sluggers, sometimes fielding only six players during the regular season games (as well as the semifinals and the last three innings of the Championship game), were going to claim the Championship tee-shirts.

Game log

First inning

Lauren singles to the third baseman.
Howie singles to left field. Lauren advances to second.
Joe grounds into a forceout, the shortstop to the second baseman. Lauren advances to third base. Joe to first.
Elijah doubles to left-center field. Lauren scores. Joe advances to third.
Andrew singles to the shortstop. Elijah advances to third. Joe is out at home on a throw from the shortstop to the first baseman to the catcher.
Mike singles to left field. Elijah scores. Andrew advances to second.
Katie grounds into a forceout, the shortstop to the second baseman. Katie to first.

Second inning

Bryce grounds out, shortstop to the first baseman.
Spencer pops out to the shortstop.
Geena singles to left field.
Paula pops out to the first baseman.

Third inning

Lauren lines out to the center fielder.
Howie grounds out, third baseman to the first baseman.
Joe singles to the third baseman.
Elijah singles to center field. Joe advances to second.
Andrew lines out to the right fielder.

Fourth inning

Mike flies out to left field.
Katie grounds out, third baseman to the first baseman.
Bryce singles to the second baseman.
Spencer grounds into a forceout, the short center fielder to the second baseman.

Fifth inning

Geena grounds out, second baseman to the first baseman.
Paula reaches second base on an overthrow by the second baseman to the first baseman
Lauren grounds out, shortstop to the first baseman.
Howie grounds out, third baseman to the first baseman.

Sixth inning

Joe flies out to left fielder.
Elijah flies out to deep left field.
Andrew lines out to the second baseman.

Seventh inning

Mike singles to left field.
Katie grounds into a forceout, the shortstop to the second baseman. Katie to first.
Bryce doubles to center field. Katie advances to third.
Spencer grounds out, shortstop to the first baseman. Katie scores. Bryce advances to third.
Geena lines out to the second baseman.