Students squared off against their instructors and university staff outside the classroom at Diane Daniels Field for the annual Student vs. Faculty/Staff Softball game.

After a hard-fought game, the faculty and staff won its with their fifth consecutive victory with an 11-8 decision on Friday.

In the first inning, the students went three up, three down. The faculty, on the other hand, came out swinging. Payroll Bookkeeper Michael Smego and Telecommunications Senior Technician Roberto Dovalina both hit solo home runs to put the faculty up 2-0.

In the second inning, the students responded with offense of their own. Freshmen Lupe Garza and Abran Gongora and sophomore Sammy Bissett all hit solo home runs, giving the students a 3-2 lead. The faculty responded by scoring four unanswered runs to retake the lead at 6-3 going into the top of the third inning.

The third inning produced no change in score. But in the top of the fourth, the students tied the game up at 6-6. The tie was short-lived as the faculty quickly scored two runs to retake the lead at 8-6.

Both teams’ bats stayed silent in the fifth and sixth innings.

In the seventh and final inning, the students tied the game at 8-8 with another home run by Bissett that brought in teammate Abran. The faculty/staff had two outs and extra innings looked promising. With two runners on base and two outs, Dovalina once again hit the ball out of the park to bring in the winning runs.

“I wanted to win it for the faculty and staff to make all the faculty and staff proud,” Dovalina said.

Although competition is imminent when it comes to sports, it is not the only purpose of the annual Student-Faculty Softball Game.

“The Student vs. Faculty Softball game is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to interact in a way they normally would not outside of the classroom,” said Jessica Nortman, a junior and UPB traditions event coordinator. “It’s a long running tradition that faculty, staff, and students alike enjoy.”

The game also promotes community building and adds spirit to the campus, Nortman said.

Student Life Office Manager Michelle Mowry said she also enjoyed the opportunity to cheer for her teammates.

The game is meant to help build community by allowing students the opportunity to build relationships with their peers.

“I met students that I’ve never met before and others that I have,” sophomore Pedro Fuentes said. “It’s nice to see them again.”

In this year’s game, there was a sibling rivalry between members of the opposing teams.

“I signed up for the chance to play my brother,” freshman Nathan Smego said.

Nathan’s brother Michael Smego was a pitcher for the St. Edward’s University baseball team from 2003 to 2007 and currently works in the payroll office while attending graduate school at St. Edward’s.

Michael Smego said he enjoyed the experience as well.

“(The game) was an opportunity to compete and socialize with the younger kids,” Michael Smego said. “The student team came out quicker and stronger, but I knew our experience would win the ball game.”

One of the main goals of the student team was to end the faculty’s win streak.

Junior Greg Rucker is very familiar with the Student vs. Faculty game rivalry competing for the past three years.

“It’s just a tradition. I felt obligate to play each year because I love the game and to heckle the faculty,” Rucker said. “I just hope the next year we continue to make progress to get the win. We’ve been on a five game losing streak.”

The game is also for the fans to enjoy. The Student Government Association and UPB hosted a pregame tailgate and encouraged students and faculty to come out to enjoy free drinks and snacks. Many students came out to enjoy the game.

The student team is already looking ahead to next year to finally halt the faculty’s winning streak.