For Immediate Release
September 14, 2022
Media Contact
Keegan Bales – keegan@congwomensoftball.org

MEMBERS DEFEAT BAD NEWS BABES IN WALK-OFF WIN

Congressional Women’s Softball shatters previous fundraising record with over $540,000 raised

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a dramatic finish to the fourteenth annual Congressional Women’s Softball Game, the Members Team defeated the Press Team in walk-off fashion. For the first time in more than five years, Congress emerged victorious after a hard-fought competition full of suspense, great defense, and timely hitting.

In the top of the first, the Bad News Babes jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead thanks to a triple from Kaiser Health News’s Emmarie Huetteman. The Members pulled even with one run in the bottom of the first and two more in the second to tie the game at 3-3. Amy Walter of Cook Political Report and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) traded well-pitched frames until the game was tied 5-5 after six innings. In the top of the seventh, the final inning, the Bad News Babes loaded the bases with two outs, but a stellar play from left fielder Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) ended the inning.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, Congress needed just one run to capture a walk-off victory. The team started the inning with back-to-back singles from Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Sen. Gillibrand. Walter retired the next two batters until a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) stepped up to the plate and, after dramatically working a full count, walked to bring in the game’s winning run. The crowd cheered and the Members poured out onto the field to celebrate their victory.

Congress named Rep. McClain the MVP and awarded Sharice Davids (D-KS) the most spirted award and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) the most improved. The Babes named Mikayla Bouchard of CNN the MVP, while most spirted went to Jennifer Bendery of HuffPost and most improved to Mica Soellner of Washington Times.

The game, which benefits the Young Survival Coalition, has raised $2.6 million since its founding in 2009 to help young adults with breast cancer. Special guests this year included Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

The game is still accepting donations at www.congwomensoftball.org.

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