In what can only be described as the greatest chapter in the history of the annual softball game, the Badger Herald used clutch hitting in the game’s final inning to down the Daily Cardinal 3-2 at Vilas Park Friday.

Behind 2-1, Herald Editorial Board Editor Stacy Hicklin led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single off Cardinal Sports Editor Arvind Gopalratnam. Hicklin advanced to second on a throwing error to first base. Sportswriter Kyle Kaiman followed with a single, moving Hicklin to third. Kaiman advanced to second on a throw home that prevented Hicklin from rounding third.

The Herald’s Megan Robinson followed with a RBI-groundout to bring Hicklin home, tying the score at two. The Cardinal subsequently paused the game to hold a meeting at the mound. In Grady Little-like fashion, the Cardinal decided to leave a tired, chain-smoking Gopalratnam in the game.

Newly hired Associate Sports Editor Ryan Knickmeyer strolled to the plate and delivered a dramatic one-out single up the middle to drive in the game’s winning run. Celebration ensued on the Herald sideline, as mustaches were temporarily dyed blue along with the hair of Herald Editor in Chief Lord Eric Bengston Cullen III.

Cullen had previously defeated his Cardinal counterpart, Evan Rytlewski, handily in the ceremonial pre-game chug-off.

The Herald drew first blood, as current Associate Sports Editor Jake Leonard connected on an RBI double to drive in Herald advertising hottie Laura Schultz. The Cardinal was able to manufacture a pair of runs in the top of the fourth and was able to keep a 2-1 advantage until its seventh-inning meltdown.

Herald Publisher Chris Arndt improved to 4-0 all-time against the Dirty Bird, while also providing all the necessary beer and food to bring the Herald to victory.

Both teams proved winners, however — at least, those who witnessed the fifth-inning dance-off between Cardinal Sports Columnist Mike Jones and Herald Photo Editor Derek Montgomery. The victor remains debatable, as both ended the contest shirtless and dripping with whiskey. Jonesy was the first to strip, but Monty looked a bit more limber and creative with his improvisational dance moves.