Mike McCombs is the sports editor at the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. He is on his second tour of duty in the Lowcountry. | When the University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball and softball teams play key Sun Conference games this Saturday, the Sand Sharks will give their fans the opportunity to fight cancer in the process.
On Saturday, as the baseball team takes on Florida Memorial and the softball team opens conference play against Warner, several initiatives will be in place to give Sand Shark fans the opportunity to help the cause.
Off-Island Thrift will be on hand before the game to collect donations, and fans are invited to bring donations such as used clothing or small furniture items. Off-Island Thrift donated nearly $250,000 to the families of 319 patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment last year.
Also, USCB has teamed up with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the American Cancer Society through the Strikeout Cancer initiative, which raises money in support of the fight against cancer and lends a platform to raise awareness.
Fans will have the opportunity to contribute to this cause in one of two ways – by pledging a monetary amount for each run, home run, hit or strikeout the Sand Sharks tally during the doubleheader or by purchasing a balloon for $1 to be released between games of the doubleheader in honor of a friend or loved one affected by the disease.
The baseball and softball doubleheaders begin at noon at the Richard Gray Sports Complex, located behind Hardeeville City Hall at 205 Main Street.