6G and 3G had already arrived at the softball field by the time I rolled up on my antique-looking bike. Blue shirts mingled with green as the girls laughed, chatted, filled their water bottles, and applied sunscreen for their third class of the day: softball.

“It’s time for class to start!” announced Grant Turgeon, head softball instructor (and my fellow pyc correspondent in his off hours). He called forward 3G counselor Victoria Terrell and 6G assistant counselor Paris Turgeon for what he termed “the most exciting part of the game”: determining which team would bat first.

Mr. Turgeon had the two counselors run around the whole softball field—a distance of about 400 meters. After letting Miss Turgeon lead for the whole race, Miss Terrell sneaked past her on the home stretch and won the race by inches. The result: 6G would bat first.

The two dorms practiced hitting, throwing and catching to warm up for the game. Then 3G hustled onto the field while 6G organized their batting order.

Viktoria was up to bat first for 6G. She smashed the ball toward right field on the first pitch, but 3G’s first baseman snagged the ball and tagged the base, knocking her out. Eleanor valiantly attempted to gain a base for 6G as well, but to no avail—until she acted as pinch runner for Tyrsa, who smacked the ball to the fence. Tyrsa’s solid hit allowed Eleanor to make a home run for 6G.

6G kept the enthusiasm high throughout the entire game with a seemingly endless stream of softball chants. 6G’s cheering grew even louder as Eleanor—again the pinch runner, but this time for Stephanie—scored another run for 6G.

The inning ended soon after, and 3G was up to bat—but not for long. 6G’s first-rate fielding took out 3G’s first three batters. When Sarah from 3G smacked the ball into the outfield, Shelley exhibited her amazing throwing arm by hurling the ball almost to first base from her position in left field. Then Cami from 3G got a double with another to-the-fence hit, but 6G stopped her on second base by getting the ball in to the pitcher quickly. Second-baseman Viktoria caught a direct hit by 3G’s last runner, sending the ball to first and getting the runner out—but not before one of 3G’s other base runners scored that dorm’s first run in the game.

At 6G’s next at-bat, Viktoria smacked the ball just past an infielder’s glove and reached first just in time. A couple of batters later, an over-throw to third base gave 6G another run, making their lead 3-1.

In the next several innings, 6G kept their lead, and it looked like the dorm was going to prevail. But just as we spectators began to look at our watches to see how much longer the game was scheduled to continue, 3G surprised us all by suddenly tying the game 3-3. “This is the most exciting girls’ game we’ve had,” said Ben Young, one of the assistant softball instructor.

With bases loaded and just seconds left in the game, 3G failed to make their last hit. The game ended with a tie: 6G—3, 3G—3.

At the end of class, Eleanor of 6G was surprised with a ticket. Then Mr. Turgeon went into the center of the camper circle and created a nonsensical cheer with both dorms: “Quesadilla smoothie massages!”

“That’s disgusting!” said Mr. Turgeon, even though the final cheer was his idea.

3G cheered for the opposing dorm: “Thanks for making us feel at home, softball staff and 6G!”

Then the campers of 6G circled up with their counselor, Elyssia Lancaster, and replied, “Thanks for making us feel like the guests, 3G and softball staff!”

Next on the agenda for 6G: setup for their Etiquette Dinner.