UNIVERSITY CITY, Calif. — In a game that saw both sides down by as many as seven runs, the UCSD Guardian beat its rival publication, the Koala, in an eight-inning game of sloshball with a final score of 30-29.
While the Guardian took an early lead of 9-2 in the second, the Koala rallied in the sixth inning with nine runs. The sixth inning was also witness to two bench-clearing brawls, and when the dust cleared, the Koala was up 23-19.
After the Koala managed three more runs at the beginning of the seventh (the last planned inning), the Guardian put up a magnificent performance, scoring nine runs. Associate Sports Editor Isaac Pearlman’s line drive past first base with two outs proved to be the clincher, clearing out the pile of three Guardian runners at the cooler at second base and tying the score at 26.
Despite the heavy intoxication of both teams, the Koala went to bat to start an extra inning, putting out a decent three runs before the heavily inebriated Guardian fielders could get three outs.
Before the Guardian could go to bat to try to beat that performance, however, both teams gathered around the cooler at second base as each team sent its best representative to a drinking contest.
Guardian Managing Editor Bill Burger soundly beat the Koala’s representative, easily downing two beers before his opponent could finish one.
The Koala then took the field bare-chested as the Guardian scored three runs in the space of two outs, tying up the game at 29 apiece. Pearlman once again stepped up to the plate with a runner on second, drove a double into left field, ending the game as the Guardian’s last runner brought the final score to 30-29.
The victory was the Guardian’s second straight win in the annual contest.