Baseball: Hampshire, Woodstock N. brave elements for Strike Out Cancer fundraiser

The Hampshire and Woodstock North baseball teams learned that hitting with a wooden bat on a blustery day stings a little bit.

However, the temporary pain was well worth the long-term benefit as the wooden bats they used during Saturday's Fox Valley Conference game at The Yard were auctioned off as part of the third annual Strike Out for Cancer benefit in support of the Jason Motte Foundation.

Players from both squads used different color bats, representing the 20 colors of cancer awareness. A silent auction, raffle prizes, K Cancer T-shirt sales and plaques honoring those who have been affected by cancer, were also part of the fundraising efforts.

"This is a huge cause. My grandma passed away from breast cancer so this event means a lot to me," said Hampshire junior hurler Carter Lawler, who allowed 1 run over 5 innings and drove in 4 runs at the plate as part of the Whip-Purs' 6-1 victory.

"The past few months we've been going out in our uniforms getting donations from all these corporations and just trying to showcase the event. It's a great event and lot of people turned out even though it was cold out."

"This is the third year in a row we've had uncooperative weather, but we've figured out a way to make it work," said Hampshire coach John Sarna. "I'm so proud of everybody's efforts to making this happen."

"We raised $8,000 last year and hopefully we're going to meet or exceed it. Anytime you're doing something for the third time, it's tough, but we're hoping something puts us over that goal."

Sarna's mother, Madonna, along with 8-year-old Algonquin resident Bella Yakos - both cancer survivors - were on hand to throw out honorary first pitches.

Ryan Yakos said that his daughter's cancer has been in remission since October and Bella will be celebrating her ninth birthday on June 14.

"The kids read about Bella's story last year and bonded together to outbid everyone for the gold bat in her honor. All the Cubs players signed it and they gave it to her, so that was really cool," Sarna said. "It was nice to invite her back out today to throw out the first pitch."

"It feels great to contribute to the cause, especially after seeing Bella walk out there," said Whip-Purs junior Pawel Barnas, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

"We had some days off where we didn't have practice and we'd just get together and the idea that we were helping out a great cause really pushed us to go out and get some donations."

Motte, who pitched for the Cubs last year and is now a member of the Colorado Rockies, invited the Hampshire team to Wrigley Field last year to participate in the Chicago Cornhole Challenge.

"Jason and the kids are real tight and I know they're watching on Twitter," Sarna said, "They're out in Colorado now and couldn't be here, but they know this is a big event and we're real happy to support their cause. "

Hampshire (16-13, 8-9) parlayed 4 hits into a pair of runs in the first inning. Lawler's sacrifice fly plated Noah Schrader and Kevin Michaelsen's two-out single up the middle drove in Jacob Manning, who scored 3 times.

Woodstock North (9-17, 2-14) scored on a wild pitch in the second inning, but the Whip-Purs answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the frame. Lawler delivered a 2-run single and Barnas added an RBI groundout.

"It was nice to get a lead early and just relax," Lawler said.

Lawler allowed just 3 hits and struck out 6 while Michael Bowen and Brian Diete finished up with scoreless innings.

"Carter threw strikes and especially with wood bats on a cold day, that's the secret," Sarna said.

"It's still hitting, but it just stings a little bit, I guess," Barnas said. "I really like the sound it makes it off the bat though."