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Game vs. cancer is set for June 2

Six years ago, then-Hughesville assistant coaches Mike Earnest and Jake King started brainstorming team fundraising ideas.

From that session, came something powerful that stretches well beyond Hughesville. From that session, came something both men hope can touch lives everywhere.

The Coaches/Seniors vs Cancer Game was born that night and has gained strength since. The fifth-annual game will be held at Logue Field on Saturday, June 2. A Futures Game also will be played for the first time, featuring District 4 underclassmen. The Futures game will be played at 3 with the Coaches/Seniors game following soon after.

“It kind of evolved to what it is now and has been growing more and more every year,” King said. “Having the futures game now will help to grow even more. It will grow the awareness of the game and grow the money side of it so we can help with the research and help people that are battling cancer.”

The game produced $25,000 the first four years it was held. There was no game last year with Bowman Field under construction. It was moved to Logue Field this season. Because there is no gate, King is hoping fans will provide donations. There also will be a chinese auction and concession stand to help generate revenue.

The Coaches/Seniors game has gained popularity each year and features 54 players this season. That includes 28 District 4 seniors and 26 coaches.

“It’s rewarding for the kids and the coaches that want to be a part of it,” King said. “The coaches are like big kids out there. It gives them a chance to play one last time and look forward to it.”

People can look forward to the Futures Game as well. This game adds another dimension and allows fans to watch some of some excellent players they could be reading about or watching over the next few seasons. That game includes 33 players. Taken together, players from both teams have the opportunity to experience one last high school game in 2018. For the seniors, that takes on added significance.

The Futures Game also could benefit players by bringing in college recruiters. This gives them an opportunity to play a highly competitive game against some of outstanding players. A bonus is drawing in players who will want to play in this game in coming years. The more athletes that can be drawn in, the better the game will be.

That goes double when looking at the grand scheme. Yes, these games are about competition and high-quality baseball. But there is a higher purpose that goes beyond the scoreboard.

The more money raised, the closer that doctors some day could be do eradicating cancer. That is the victory everyone involved hopes to produce.

“The more people we can capture and bring in, the more money we can raise for Kids for Cancer and cancer awareness the better things are and that’s what it’s all about. It’s using baseball as a vehicle to raise cancer awareness and fight against it,” King said. “Hopefully it’s competitive and fun and we raise some money and go away having that feeling that we did something good for that day.”

Seniors Roster

Cole Hauck, Cade Lawton, Jared Snyder, Matt Myers, Zack Murray, Alex Garcia, Tony Manzano, Eithan Marino, Ethan Litzelman, Jensen Drick, Calvin Lesser, Brandon DePasqua, Mac Griswold, Kade Meyer, Gage Anzulavich, Quentin Brown, Tanner Esposito, Cody Shimp, Ethen Stryker, Ryan Jolin, Cam Pardoe, Caleb Joy, Tyler McCann, Isaac Snyder, Brandon Loner, Adam Helminiak, Anthony Marrazzo, Noah Persun

Coaches Roster

Corey Dorman, Jake Golomboski, John Hockenbrock, Sadler Rogers, Rob Shrawder, Mike Earnest, Mike Lambert, Ben Eshleman, Sean Ross, Ross Drick, Cory Flick, Pat Gitschlag, Chip Rearick, Corey Twigg, Jeremy Eck, Joel Worthington, Kyle Schneider, Aaron James, Rick Armstead, Sadiq Burkholder, Andy McMahon, Cory Burkholder

Futures Roster

Dark Blue

Logan Burkett, Tyler Pick, Jaiden Cioffi, Coty Steele, Kyle Ferguson, Trevor Miller, Jonathan Zayas, Drake Mankey, Caleb Reddy, Solomon Grant, Frank Beaghley, Tyler Shadle, Kalen Guyer, Jeff Hamilton, Hunter Shearer, Braden Bomberger, Joel Myers

Orange

Keon Burkholder, Gage Yohn, Brayden Strouse, Anthony Pastore, Joel Verrico, Brock Moyer, Naaman Amos, Hayden Woland, Hayden Woland, Vaughan Ault, Mason Sechrist, Hunter Budman, Elliot Kelchner, Hayden Ross, Kade Anzulavich, Jared Baker, Dominic Silvers

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