Theory Beats Experiment 18-6:  SLAC Community Stunned!

Game Summary

Theory bolted to a five-run first inning lead and never looked back as they clobbered Experiment 18-6 at this year's annual Theory vs. Experiment Softball Game. The convincing win snapped a five-year Experiment win streak that began in 1998. Wildly cheering Theory fans and supporters had not seen such a complete victory since 1982 when Theory snapped a seven-year victory drought. It was the highest run production for Theory batters in over 20 years.

"There is nothing theoretical about this important victory," said Emeritus Theory Captain Sid "Lefty" Drell.  "Captain JoAnn Hewett put together an excellent game plan and the team executed to perfection."

There were plenty of heroic efforts by both teams as players struggled under the withering sun. Surface temperature at Roble Field nudged 100° F (38C). The oppressive heat took its toll on overheated players and sweltering fans. However, there was no relief in sight for Experiment – they could only tally three runs through the first seven innings. In contrast, the Theory hitting barrage was relentless and got stronger as the game progressed. Theory scored 13 runs in the final five innings while Experiment could muster only three more runs of their own. Theory mercifully shut out Experiment in the bottom of the ninth to close out the game 18-6.

There were many missed opportunities by Experiment that could have made the game closer. As the game wore on Experiment fell further behind. They became more desperate to make up runs with aggressive base running and trying to stroke the home run ball. This proved to be their undoing as Theory cut down base runners with exceptionally crisp, errorless fielding and precise put out throws. When Experiment batters blasted deep towering shots into the outfield, Theory fielders moved swiftly back and had them drop harmlessly into their waiting gloves. So effective was the defense Experiment failed to score a run in each of six innings – a goose egg feat that had not been seen in this century. Much of the credit goes to Theory pitchers Herm "The Wiggler" Winick and Yuval "G-man" Grossman who frustrated impatient Experiment batters by throwing a devastating selection of unhittable spinners and sky balls.

After the game Experiment Captain Mike Woods remarked, "We were dismayed to see our winning streak snapped. This off season we'll negotiate to woo some key SSRL players from Theory, and we'll seek new recruits. I'm looking forward to the matchup next year!"

Bill Kirk MVP Award

The first Bill Kirk MVP Award went to Theory Stanford student Jamie McGuire for his sterling batting performance. McGuire's key base hit in the first inning scored two RBIs. He followed up with three more RBIs in the seventh with a bases clearing home run. McGuire accepted the MVP honor awarded by Theory Captain Emeritus Drell as a tribute to Bill Kirk's legacy to the game. The MVP Selection Committee presented McGuire with a SLAC cap and sweatshirt.

Team Rosters