The Rivals for a Reason softball game between Washington and Borgia took place at Lakeview Park on Monday, Sept. 10.
The teams are using the game as a rallying point to raise funds for Friends of Kids With Cancer as both schools have been touched by cancer.
The event raised approximately $4,800 for Friends With Cancer. There was $3,500 raised during the game and $1,300 raised in T-shirt sales over the last few weeks.
The event was spearheaded by players from both teams.
Washington High School senior Paige Babbs has been fighting cancer
and has gone through treatments. She's currently in school and on the
Homecoming Court.
Borgia senior first baseman Josie Lindemann’s older sister, Stephanie, has been fighting since being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma following the 2015 season.
Friends of Kids with Cancer has supported both Lindemann and Babbs and that prompted the players to come together to want to donate to that charity.
Some of the events at the game included:
*BBQ pork burgers or hot dogs with bottled water for $5;
*50/50 raffle;
*Seven inning raffle with prizes each inning;
*Spirit wear for sale; and
*K’s for Cancer Pledge for every strike out in the game.
Proceeds will benefit Friends of Kids with Cancer.
“It was a big success,” said Washington Softball Coach Philip King. “It makes the rivalry friendlier. Sometimes it feels like more of a heated rivalry, but today it was just friends playing softball and raising money for a great cause.”
Washington won the varsity game over Borgia, 6-4, and the junior varsity contest, 11-0.
Ellie Quaethem pitched all seven innings for the Lady Jays in the varsity game, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and 13 strikeouts.
Washington jumped to a 4-0 lead after two innings. Jena Monehan connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and Jessie Huxol added an RBI double.
Monehan had an RBI double in the second inning.
With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Emma Vodnansky ripped a two-run homer, the first of her career, to give the Lady Jays the lead for good, 6-4.
Washington (8-2) returned to action on Tuesday, Sept. 11, defeating Wentzville Liberty at Lakeview Park, 11-3.
Monehan belted another home run, giving her 10 for her career, which tied Megan Freitag for the most in school history. Caitlyn Vodnansky also homered. Quaethem was the winning pitcher, improving to 7-1 on the season.
​Photos from the Washington-Borgia varsity game are below.
