The Association

And like that, our UNC-Asheville/Arkansas-Pine Bluff/”name your random university” matches are over. Nothing close today, but it remains to be seen whether these three play-in survivors have what it takes against the #1 seeds of their respective divisions.

Josh Ritter

Despite some pretty mixed reactions from the voting base, including two scores of 0 from Seattle (does that mean it makes the “Wall of 0’s”?) The Lonely Island boys and Michael Bolton pull out the win over “Secret Agent Man,” 158.2-133.5. They’ll be up against “Papa Was A Rodeo” by Magnetic Fields in Division I next month.

A fair amount of Gallagher hate never gave Oasis a chance in their match. 60s California pop as channeled through The Association’s “Never My Love” trounces “Shakermaker,” 142.9-102.5 The Association has a bit of breathing room to rest and get their strategy down before their Division O first round date with Dire Straits’ “Romeo And Juliet.”

The votes for “Never Gonna Give You Up” were simply too volatile to allow it to pass through. Josh Ritter’s “Snow Is Gone” avoids the Rick roll and comes out on top with the high score, 164.6-125. Next up for Ritter is a date with Nick Drake’s “Northern Sky” in Division P.

Thanks for your patience, everyone, as I know some have voiced frustration with the songs in the play-in rounds. This is sort of like Level 1 of that game Pinch Hitter that I play sometimes when I’m bored and not running music tournaments. We’re graduating from the Sandlot and moving into the Minors now- get excited.