On Thursday, April 30, the Hofstra University softball team hosted a home run derby at Bill Edwards Stadium after the Pride’s 3-2 win over Monmouth University. Participants paid for the chance to hit balls over the fence, with all proceeds going towards multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness. Members of Hofstra’s baseball, field hockey and volleyball teams were all in attendance and participated, with some baseball players hitting particularly long home runs. The Pride’s first baseman and outfielder Dahlia Palacio acted as the event’s master of ceremonies, offering encouragement and some light teasing to the participants as they hit while music blared throughout the stadium. Other members of Hofstra’s softball team were in the outfield retrieving hit balls.
Junior infielder Mackenzie Fitzgerald’s mother suffers from MS. Fitzgerald addressed participants and spectators, including her mother, before the festivities.
“When Chelsea [Villar] asked if anyone had ideas for a cause, I wanted nothing more than to be able to raise money for something that means so much to me and many people in my life,” Fitzgerald said.
Many of the upperclassmen, such as Villar, Fitzgerald and Alanna Morse helped to put the event together. Morse values not only the ability to make a difference but also being able to bring the Hofstra community together.
“It’s just a great way to get the community together, to get athletics combined with the whole campus,” Morse said. ”It’s a great experience for a good cause.”
While Morse was excited for the event, she made clear that the game they played beforehand took priority.
“We have to always prioritize the game when we have these fun events,” Morse said. “We debrief the game, we chat with our coaches and then we hit the reset button.”
First year Hofstra head coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke was one of the pitchers for the event. She was not only happy for the opportunity to raise money for MS, but also to spend time together as a team without the pressure of a game.
“It’s a good opportunity to take a rest and appreciate everything,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “[But] I’m not going to take some swings, I take enough swings in practice.”
This is the third year of the event. Last year, the team raised $1,100 and broke one window.
“Last year one of our dads was participating, and he hit it so far that he hit the [David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex] and broke the window,” Morse said. “This year we put some nets up.”
The philanthropic aspect of the event means a lot to Morse.
“College athletics is realizing that you’re a part of something bigger than yourselves,” Morse said. “When you’re part of this tight-knit community … I would say that athletics is like a family. Just having the opportunity to use our platform for the greater good really benefits us and makes us happy and excited to help the community in any way we can.”
