News Release: Wittenberg Softball Hosts Strike Out Cancer Event April 26

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg University softball team hosts its regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) finale at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, against Allegheny, and the Tigers will be focused on more than just the opponent in the other dugout.

April 16, 2008
            

Tiger softball gets psyched up before a recent game

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University softball team hosts its regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) finale at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, against Allegheny, and the Tigers will be focused on more than just the opponent in the other dugout.

There is a much more important foe the Tiger student-athletes and coaches plan to battle as they host the program's first-ever Strike Out Cancer event at Betty Dillahunt Field. Part of a nationwide Strike Out Cancer program initiated by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the event will honor former Wittenberg Women's Basketball Head Coach and Associate Director of Athletics Pam Evans Smith, with all money raised going to cancer research in her name.

"I am proud to be doing this event for the first time at Wittenberg," said Wittenberg Softball Head Coach Becky Hall. "Pam's legacy will live on forever, and doing this in her honor is something that my team and I are very proud of. Every member on this team has unfortunately been touched by cancer in our families, and we feel there is no better way to help find a cure than to take time to raise funds, and do it in this manner.

"We encourage the Wittenberg community, the Springfield community, and the Greater Miami Valley to come out and support our efforts."

Money is being raised through the sale of Strike Out Cancer T-shirts, which were designed by a girl from nearby Tipp City, Ohio, who lost her mother to breast cancer a year ago. Pre-ordered T-shirts were sold for $8, and they will also be on sale the day of the game for $10.

In addition, a variety of other items will be on sale during the event, including hats, totes, backpacks, wrist bands, socks and bags, with all money raised going toward the Pam Evans Smith '82 Memorial Scholarship fund. Smith's husband, Roger, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Wittenberg and Allegheny teams will be wearing special uniform shirts. The Wittenberg coaching staff plans to wear shirts with the No. 42 on the back in honor of Smith, who wore that jersey number during her collegiate basketball playing days at Wittenberg.

Admission to the game is free, but donations will be accepted on the day of the game. A big crowd is expected, as it is Softball Alumni Day and a Code Red event, meaning students are encouraged to attend wearing special Wittenberg T-shirts. Finally, it will be "dime-a-dog" day at Betty Dillahunt Field and entertainment is planned between games, including a tricycle race around the bases.

Written By: Ryan Maurer