By Morgan Grossmann
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The Camden County College women’s softball team defeated Montgomery County College, 8-4, on April 16 in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game.
The Camden County College team hosted its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game at 3:30 p.m. on its field in Blackwood.
Pitcher, team leader and one of only two sophomores on the team, Kaitlyn Hellyer, struck out all three of Montgomery County College’s batters in the second and fourth innings. The team did not get any hits off Hellyer in those innings; however, in the third inning, a Montgomery County College player hit a triple, batting in a run.
With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, Camden County College’s Victoria Powers hit a double, driving in two runs. From third base, Powers stole home as the pitcher threw the ball into the outfield.
The Camden County College team sported pink T-shirts that read, “Camden County College Softball,” with each member’s number on the back, neon pink knee-high socks and pink helmets while at bat in support of breast cancer awareness. The Montgomery County College team did not wear any pink articles of clothing, even though they were notified ahead of time it was the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game.
The Camden County College Dietetic Students Club also appeared at the game, promoting health, nutrition and cancer prevention. The students in the club volunteered their time by handing out pamphlets on cancer prevention and healthy snacks, such as berries and apples.
“They did pretty well,” Holly Smith, a former Camden County College softball player, said about the team’s performance. “They hit and field correctly, for the most part.”
Hellyer said the game was special to her.
“It was special to me in two ways,” Hellyer said. “First, it was showing that not only is this a horrible disease and people need to be aware of it, but we raised awareness by showing support and earning money for research. And secondly, it was special to show my mom the care and support that she has shown us throughout the years.”
Hellyer’s mother survived breast cancer.
“As a whole, I thought we did well with the few returning players we had from last year and the addition of the new players this year,” said Hellyer. “We bonded really well, which helped us play well, push each other to play to our potential and made sure we had fun, which made the season enjoyable.”
Twin duo, Kaitlyn Hellyer, pitcher, strikes out Montgomery County College’s Sammi Kidd, as Taylor Hellyer, catcher, receives the pitch. By Morgan Grossmann, CCC Journalism Program