MARIETTA, Ohio – Softball fans from the Mid-Ohio Valley are invited to Join Marietta College for an annual rite of Spring … Community Softball Day. The sixth annual event is slated for Saturday (April 12) when the Pioneers host Heidelberg University in a key Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader.
Over 600 fans are expected at Marietta Field. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m. and the first pitch between the Pioneers and Heidelberg is set for 1:00 p.m. Organized and run by students from Marietta College's Sports Management program, Community Softball Day is free and open to the public.
The first 400 fans will receive a free T-shirt and, as in past years, there will be plenty of free food, games and activities for everyone to enjoy. In addition to hot dogs and Pepsi products yearly favorites sno-cones and cotton candy will also be available.
Once Marietta College takes the field against the Student Princes, there will be plenty of activities during the game with lots of giveaways in between innings.
In addition to all of the Community Day games and food, the Pioneer softball program will be participating with the other nine OAC schools in the Strike Out Cancer benefit. Each year the member schools raise funds to assist an individual fighting cancer.
This season's beneficiary is special to the Pioneers. Former John Carroll University standout softball player Ally Kleinhans is the sister of Marietta freshman infielder
Sarah Kleinhans (Prosperity, Pa./McGuffey). Ally earned All-OAC and All-Region recognition for the Blue Streaks.
According to Erin Brooks, Ally's coach at John Carroll, "Ally played every day like she had something to prove; and it is in that courageous stubborn spirit that she led and inspired her teammates. And, exactly how she continues to lift he lives around her today."
Fans will be able to contribute to the Strike Out Cancer benefit through a 50/50 raffle at the field.
Marietta College is currently 15-9 on the season and in first place in the OAC with an 8-2 conference record. Heidelberg is also 15-9 overall and has a 4-6 league record.
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.
