Universe Softball Team Wins Bull Moose Division Title

The Universe Softball team recently claimed the Bull Moose division title, edging out the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) with a close score of 9-8 during an exciting match last Wednesday evening.

Both teams came into the game undefeated, battling for the top seed in the hot and sunny night playoff series in Arlington, Virginia. The callers jumped out to an impressive early lead, but AFPI managed to find their footing later, though they struggled through seven innings against a solid defense.

Action got underway quickly, with the callers racking up four runs early in the game. They showcased some powerful hitting, highlighted by three consecutive doubles. The first four spots in the lineup were instrumental, contributing to all nine runs scored. This included that trio of doubles along with intern Kenny leading off.

AFPI fought back, but the callers extended their lead in the third inning. Mitra managed to escape a potential double play at the end of one inning, setting the stage for a couple of rallies. Reese and Belve kept the momentum going with base hits, filling the bases for Jonah Went.

Berube, a dedicated observer, shared his thoughts with Dylan Hausman, who serves as the coach and pitcher. He referred to a crucial moment in the game, which proved significant as Went scored all three runners and brought the lead to 7-1.

“We were able to replicate Manfred in the tally,” Went remarked post-game, making a nod to his brother who couldn’t join due to church camp commitments.

On the field, the match featured a defensive showdown, with Mitra, Reese, and Wallace “Wall-e” White from the Daily Color News Foundation teaming up with intern Czar Lucas Alonso, who played flawlessly in the outfield. This strong defense transformed the middle of the field into a no-fly zone, thanks to several key defensive plays from Housman, Berube, and senior editor Amber Duke.

AFPI mounted a comeback, scoring once in the fourth and four times in the fifth. By the sixth inning, they narrowed the gap to 7-6, but the callers responded with some key hits: a single followed by a double from Berube, which added crucial insurance runs. The Mitola-Reese-Berube trio ended the day strong, finishing that inning with four doubles between them.

Despite AFPI adding a couple of runs in the sixth, the game stayed tense and ended after seven innings with a score of 9-8. The callers started the seventh with a runner on base but were stymied until Berube turned a double play to secure the victory.

In a prior match, the callers delivered a dominating 27-1 win against the government accountability office, led by stellar performances from Mitra, Went, Duke, and intern Justin “Shoe Hei” Choi, marking them 4-0 for the season.

Following their win over AFPI, the callers sit at 5-0 in the Bull Moose division, securing first place. They’ll finish their regular season this week against the Roosevelt Institute and prepare for the upcoming playoffs, aiming for four wins to snag their first TTSL title since 2022.