Western, Plymouth State Participate To Strikeout Cancer

DANBURY, Conn. -- On Saturday, April 7th, Western Connecticut and Plymouth State College joined together to "Strikeout Cancer". The two schools came together to play the game in memory of Sandy Hollander, long time coach of Buffalo State College who passed away Monday April 2, 2012.

The game also hit very close to home for Plymouth State as one of their own players Ali Keith returned this season after a two year battle fighting Hodgkin's lymphoma. Keith is in her junior playing season and is a pitcher for the Panthers. She is currently cancer free.

For the past few weeks the Colonials had been raising money and decided to donate it to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Connecticut affiliate, in honor of a current player's mother who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The other half of the proceeds will be donated to Mackenzie Newsome, the three year old daughter of Western Connecticut State University's cheerleading coach. Mackenzie was recently diagnosed with a tumor the size of a softball in her little chest.

Western had Carol Dargon mother of senior pitcher Magen Dargon and Kimberly Moss mother of sophomore pitcher Stephanie Moss both breast cancer survivors and cancer free for the last year along with Ali Keith throw out the first pitch.

Western collected a total of 17 strikeouts on the day along with Plymouths 10 which will add to the donation total.

The game was a huge success, with a lot of fans and generous donations. Western and Plymouth thank everyone for their support and look to continue this new found tradition in the future.