April 30, 2004

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team's doubleheader against San Diego State at Eller Media Stadium on Saturday has been designated "Strike Out Cancer Day," and UNLV will donate all of the proceeds from the day's activities to a pair of charitable organizations.

Special edition T-Shirts commemorating the day will be sold for $15. The T-Shirt includes a free ticket to both games. A variety of prizes will be raffled off as well throughout the day, and Louisville Slugger has donated commemorative miniature bats that will be given to the first 100 fans through the gate.

The proceeds raised at Saturday's games will be split between the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the San Diego State Campanile Foundation.

The fundraising activities were organized by UNLV Softball Assistant Coach Sara Pickering. Pickering, a survivor of Hodgkin's Disease, raised $5000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after running in the 2003 Portland Marathon.

Half of the proceeds will also be donated to the San Diego State Campanile Foundation on behalf of Aztec senior Jacque Vaca. Vaca, who was an all-conference player for SDSU last year, was diagnosed with lupus nephritis before the season and has not played this year.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact the UNLV softball office at (702) 895-4018.