Homecoming Week hit a home run with the faculty vs. student softball game. Students showed up for a good laugh with friends over the hard-working yet mostly nonathletic faculty.
With some faculty needing help learning softball minutes before starting, the game felt like an easy win. However, the staff pulled 0-1 scores in the first and second innings.
2024 Miss ULM Gabrelle “Gabby” McLeod played for the faculty and staff team, scoring two of its points.
“Every time I made it to the bat, I got a base. And I was the only one that scored on the team, so I’m going to take that win,” McLeod said. “I’m going to say I did well.”

Pitchers threw, and batters missed, but everyone kept a lighthearted vibe throughout the event.
When the students suddenly struck a home run, the crowd went from mildly interested to engrossed.
After the home run, the student team couldn’t score enough.  Their defense stayed on top of the game, catching almost every ball that made it to the outfield. This scored them 4-0 in both the third and fourth innings, giving the staff reason to worry.
8:30 p.m. hit the clock, and so did one student, scoring another home run off the scoreboard.
An 8-2 game is recoverable, but students racked up seven points in the fifth inning, securing the win with a run-rule. The game ended with a score of 15-2 in the students’ favor.
Due to some difficulties with the difference in rules, Vice President of Student Affairs and student team coach Valerie Fields looked for a handbook near the end of the game.
“I wanted to see the policy because I couldn’t understand why they were saying, ‘No, Dr. Fields, this isn’t right.’ Because if it’s not going to be right, then I need to see the policy for it,” Fields said.
Only a select few students received an invitation to participate in the softball game, and fewer agreed to play. McLeod describes her reasoning for joining the team.
“It aligns with my [goals] of always trying something new, trying sports to be physically active,” McLeod said. “Being able to join in, not only with just students but also faculty and staff that I see every day, is just absolutely amazing.”
Homecoming week’s softball game highlighted aspects of student life not often seen during the semester. McLeod shares her thoughts on participating in Homecoming Week shenanigans.
“I think it’s great that they’re able to see me as someone relatable that’s not afraid to come in, play with them, go against them as well,” McLeod said. “I’m good for a good bit of competition, so being able to have that personable side of me that they’re able to see as well and connect with is everything.”

The faculty team will have the opportunity to secure a much-needed win when the faculty vs. student softball game makes its return next fall.