Jessica Snyder and her teammates will give both Oberlin and ovarian cancer their best shot on April 30.

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University softball team hosts its regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) finale at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, against Oberlin, 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 fourth annual Strike Out Cancer event at Betty Dillahunt Field. Part of a nationwide Strike Out Cancer program organized annually by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the Wittenberg event will raise funds and awareness to support research for ovarian cancer, which hits close to home for the Tigers because a member of the coaching staff is a survivor.

"This is a great opportunity for us to honor cancer survivors while raising money to support patients who continue to battle the disease," said Head Coach Becky Hall. "Cancer is a disease that touches every person in America today, and I'm happy that we can support this nationwide fundraising effort."

The Tigers and Yeowomen will both be wearing special uniforms for the event. Pre-ordered T-shirts have been sold for $12, and they will also be on sale the day of the game. In addition, a variety of other items will be on sale during the game, including hats, totes, backpacks, wrist bands, socks and bags, with all proceeds going to the Women's Cancer Center in Kettering, Ohio, which offers financial assistance to cancer patients who are unable to cover all of their costs.

Wittenberg's Strike Out Cancer event fits with the university's unique Tiger GAME Plan initiative, which puts an emphasis on community service as an important part of each student-athletes' collegiate experience.

Admission to the game is free, but donations will be accepted. A big crowd is expected, as it is Senior Recognition Day. Outfielder Jessi Allen, class of 2011 from Naperville, Ill., is the Tigers' lone senior who will be honored prior to the second game.

Wittenberg heads into a busy weekend with records of 11-18 overall and 5-5 in the NCAC, currently good for fourth place. The Tigers square off with Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio, on Friday before returning home to face Oberlin — a pair of NCAC doubleheaders that set the stage for next week's conference championship tournament. Only the top four teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the annual NCAC Tournament.

Written By: Ryan Maurer

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