Faculty seizes 28-4 win in second annual softball game

Power hitting and adept running helped faculty members claim bragging rights and vindication for last year’s loss as they won Southwestern Seminary’s second annual faculty-student Softball Showdown, April 13. The final score was 28-4.

Professors, students and families consumed hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts at the RAC Field, cheering on the teams as they went head-to-head on the eve of Good Friday. Friends and family watched three innings of play dominated by faculty batters, who were eager to make a comeback after last year’s 12-8 win by the students. This year, the team rosters included 18 faculty members and 25 students.

Game organizers eventually invoked the mercy rule, a provision that allows the game to be called early if one of the two teams has taken a substantial lead that is considered to be insurmountable. After scoring four runs early on, the student team was unable to bring in another runner. “The game was a complete, utter destruction and whooping from the faculty,” says Phillip Box, associate director of Student Life.

Dale Johnson, assistant professor of biblical counseling, was named MVP after numerous long hits, including a grand slam early in the game. Johnson and other faculty players slammed pitch after pitch to the back fence and beyond to take home the game trophy. Johnson previously played second base with the Provo Angels, an Anaheim Angels affiliate.

“Personally, I think it is the best event of the spring,” Box says. “A chance to let professors and students connect and commune over softball and peanuts.”

“It was the agony of defeat, but the game was tons of fun for everyone,” says Bachelor of Arts student Caden Farr. “We students won last year’s game, so obviously, we couldn’t defeat our beloved faculty twice in a row. We need our professors to have optimistic attitudes and positive thoughts toward us as they grade our final papers and exams.”

“I am so thankful for the Student Life team for putting together this softball game again this year, because it is such a blast to get to laugh and have fun with students and fellow professors as the end of the semester draws near,” says Candi Finch, assistant professor of theology in women’s studies. “Plus, my competitive side just loves that the professors get bragging rights for the next year!”