LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - To honor veterans, Lock Haven University Baseball will host its First Annual Wounded Warrior Game on Saturday, April 23. The event will occur prior to the Bald Eagles’ double-header against Slippery Rock. Ceremonies will begin at 12:30 at LHU’s Foundation Field on Farrandsville Road.

Families or Businesses will have an opportunity to sponsor a veteran for that day. Each of the LHU players will have a veteran’s name across his jersey. Sponsored vets will be a part of the opening ceremony with the players on the field. After the games that day, the jersey will be cleaned and sent to the veteran or family. The jerseys will be camouflage in color. The players will also wear camo hats.

LHU Baseball Club President Don Sowash said, “Lock Haven has a long history of veterans who have served our country in all branches of the military and the Lock Haven University baseball family wants to honor those who have sacrificed their time and for some, their lives to protect this wonderful country and to preserve our freedom.” He added, “The Wounded Warrior game is a proud way to show our support for those who have served and are serving our country.”

Plans for pre-game ceremony include introducing the veterans or their families and having them join the players on the field. An Honor Guard will present the colors, offer a rifle salute and play Taps in honor of all veterans. After the singing of the National Anthem, a veteran will throw out the first pitch of the game. Other plans for the ceremony are still tentative.

After the ceremony, veterans, their families and friends will be welcome to stay for both games with Slippery Rock University.
Baseball Coach Paul “Smokey” Stover stated, “I am so proud to have our LHU Baseball Family honoring our veterans at our home baseball doubleheader on Saturday April 23 vs Slippery Rock. I would like to thank Dan Sowash, Marchal Rote, Pat Guerriero and the entire LHU Baseball Booster Club for making this wonderful event happen. We do not honor our veterans enough in our great nation and I’m proud to be a part of this great big thank you to our veterans.”

Those who would like to sponsor a jersey in honor or in memory of a veteran should contact Marchal Rote at 570-484-2002 or mrote@lhup.edu by April 13. The cost is $100.