“7 guys 1 bat” took home the victory at the Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Alpha’s Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament held in the Pennington Student Activity Center last Saturday morning.

On Mar. 19, wiffle ball teams made up of members of AOPi, KA and other Greek organizations faced off to fight against lymphoma and muscular dystrophy. The two Greek organizations held the tournament in honor of AOPi’s late sister Samantha Barker and KA’s national philanthropy. Barker suffered from lymphoma which was the cause of her death and is the reason for AOP’s philanthropy. Members had to donate in order to play ball. 

There were 25 teams playing ball when the tournament started. The Pennington Student Activity Center was sectioned off into three courts so three games could be running at the same time. By the time the semi-finals came, there were just four teams left: “Here Comes The Runs,” “Holy Balls,” “7 guys 1 bat” and “Master Batters.”

“Holy Balls” defeated “Here Comes the Runs” and “7 guys 1 bat” defeated “Master Batters.” “7 guys 1 bat” defeated “Holy Balls” with a final score of 10-4. 

KA and sophomore industrial technology major Kamen Carter was among the winners.

“It was a good competitive game all the way up until the end,” said Carter. “We broke open and had a big six-run inning. We broke a lot open and they just couldn’t handle it.”

Although the finals were competitive, Carter said both teams still had fun playing ball.

“They were good sports,” said Carter. “We were good sports. We had a good time.”

According to AOPi Community Service Chair and junior communication sciences and disorders major Courtney Hart, the tournament raised over $2,086 for the causes. 

Senior business administration major and KA Project Outreach chair Eric Pennington was on the 2nd-place team, “Holy Balls.” Pennington said the money raised will help both philanthropies. According to Pennington, he helped Hart put the tournament together and said it’s been a tradition for 4 or 5 years. 

“It’s a blast being out here,” said Pennington. “These are the people I hang out with. I get to come out here on a Saturday morning, have good food and just enjoy the environment.”

KA served their famous pastalaya at the tournament to help raise money and feed hungry wiffle ball players. 

According to KA member and junior occupational safety health and environment major Evan Gaudet, serving pastalaya at philanthropies, tailgates and similar events is a five-year tradition. 

Phi Mu and junior accounting major Ashely Nelson enjoyed her bowl of pastalaya with her friends.

“The Louisiana Order Kappa Alpha pastalaya is a great treat after a tough loss in the AOPi,” said Nelson. “The pastalaya is tempered with a hint of spice and we’re enjoying it.”