Taylor Haggy (right), a former Bluffton University softball pitcher from South Charleston, Ohio, throws out the first pitch before Bluffton’s doubleheader against Anderson University on “Strike Out Cancer” day, April 8.

Joined by current Bluffton pitcher Kayla Owens (left), Haggy performed the ceremonial duty in honor of her mother, Kellee, a cancer victim who passed away last August. When Haggy was playing for Bluffton two years ago, Kellee threw out the first pitch on “Strike Out Cancer” day, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Bluffton’s baseball team also participates in the event, which generated more than $1,100 this year from supporters who made monetary donations, sponsored players and purchased event T-shirts and memorial balloons.