DPOSTM trounce NARPs 17-5 to extend Kamin Cup winning streak

One could be a coincidence, but two is a trend, three a run, and four a dynasty. Whoever said that didn’t know what six consecutive victories would signal, but that’s what DPOSTM achieved onMay second with its sixth consecutive victory against a group of non-athletic random people in the annual Kamin Cup. 

This was the third straight match where kickball was played — as opposed to the traditional football — and it was also contested at Dunning-Cohen Champions Field in Penn Park, rather than Franklin Field. But regardless of those changes, DPOSTM’s reign of dominance continued. 

Avid fans of the Cup might notice that it has been two years since the NARPs have had a chance to challenge DPOSTM’s iron hold, as last year’s Cup was canceled due to inclement weather on the planned weekend. Early in this year’s contest, too, the game looked to be under threat due to a malfunction that caused the appointed kickball to tear open just a few pitches into the match. Fortunately, DPOSTM was able to procure a ball, and the match was on. 

Once play was able to begin again, the rout was on. Sports Editor Walker Carnathan, a sophomore, said that he knew DPOSTM would win from “the first pitch.” While it may have taken slightly longer for this advantage to appear on the scoreboard, DPOSTM was clearly in control throughout the game. 

In the bottom of the first inning, sophomore Sports Editor Vivian Yao put DPOSTM up big with a grand slam, followed by Susie Shollenberger’s solo home run. Shollenberger, a last-minute transfer from Maryland who joined DPOSTM right before the Cup, proved to be the game’s MVP, making plays in the field and scoring a home run in most of her chances at the plate. 

“Grand slam, then Susie’s solo shot, that was it,” Yao said. 

“Once I saw Susie’s first at-bat, it was really just like I knew [how] this game was going to go. Credit to the NARPs, but there’s only so much you can do,” Carnathan added. 

With the tone set early, DPOSTM could have coasted, but it instead chose to keep pressing in order to leave no doubts. Whenever the NARPs attempted to make a comeback, quick fielding prevented extended runs, and in the bottoms of innings, the runs kept coming. 

With three innings of the planned four played, DPOSTM’s defense was able to hold and get the save, closing out a resounding 17-5 victory. While the scoreboard certainly reflects DPOSTM’s dominance on the day, the NARPs were plagued by a lack of attendance and had to rely on the contributions of two players who could have easily competed with DPOSTM, freshman Sports reporters Evan Stubbs and Neema Baddam, whose commitment to the NARPs was praised by DP President and junior Molly Cohen. 

Furthermore, the NARPs made complaints postgame about both the impromptu switching of the ball and Shollenberger’s eligibility to play with DPOSTM. However, Cohen acknowledged the result on the field, stating her intention to “enter the transfer portal” and join DPOSTM for next year’s Cup. 

Staying in the present, though, this year’s victory gave chances for rejoicing to some members of DPOSTM. Particularly given last year’s lack of a Kamin Cup, the event was quite meaningful for the Section’s more experienced members. 

“I’m so glad that DPOSTM has welcomed me with open arms, even though I started as a NARP, and allowed me to play on such a wonderful team with such wonderful teammates,” Sports reporter Allyson Nelson, a senior, said. “I’m so grateful that I got to play today with this amazing group of people that never went down, never quit, and wanted to rally in the name of DPOSTM.”

Next year’s Kamin Cup is tentatively scheduled for May 2025, with the exact date due to be set at a later time. The game is typically not broadcast, but live spectatorship is encouraged.