Springfield, Ohio — When the Wittenberg University softball team hosts North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Allegheny at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, the Tigers will be playing for a cause greater than a spot in the standings.

The Tigers will host the program's fifth annual Strike Out Cancer event at Betty Dillahunt Field, part of the 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 Gators 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 innovative 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.

Wittenberg is off to a tremendous start to the 2012 season, checking in with records of 16-8 overall and 3-1 in the NCAC after a sweep of Kenyon on April 3. The Tigers will take on an Allegheny team that is also red-hot heading into the final month of the regular season. The Gators are 17-4-1 on the season, including a league-leading 4-0 mark in NCAC action.

Written By: Ryan Maurer

022-12