VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team hosted the 12th annual Strike Out Cancer event this past weekend, April 9th, during Alumni Weekend during a doubleheader against Guilford College. 

Not only did the Marlins record a pair of 8-0 five-inning wins over the Quakers, but Virginia Wesleyan and their fans rose to the occasion to beat cancer setting an all-time record of donations raised of $30,339, all of which goes toward the American Cancer Society specifically for cancer research. The previous record was $28,620 set in 2018. 

Prior to the start of the games, Coach Brandon Elliott spoke about the meaning of Strike Out Cancer at Virginia Wesleyan and the impact it has had on the program as a whole. Initially started 12 years ago after the passing of Elliott's mother Elaine Sears, the Strike Out Cancer game has grown into a full day family event with food, silent auctions, music, and of course softball. As stated proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research. 

Cancer survivors and their care takers were pinned by the softball teams of both Virginia Wesleyan and Guilford. VWU 2018 alumni Cassetty Howerin threw out the ceremonial first pitch to her sister, Alexis, both of whom have battled different types of breast cancer. And Cassetty's jersey No. 12 was retired forevermore and hangs on the left field fence with Tori Higginbotham (11), Kristina Karagiorgis (22), and Courtney Bogan (3).