DENVER – The significance of Strike Out Cancer Day is clear to members of the MSU Denver softball program.

"Our players get excited about it," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga said. "I think cancer has really affected probably everyone, whether it's someone close or someone you know. That's why these games are so impactful."

MSU Denver makes its annual awareness acknowledgement on Friday, during a noon doubleheader against Montana State-Billings at the Regency Athletic Complex.

The Roadrunners' softball team, as well as the baseball team, which is playing at the same time in the same complex, will wear teal uniforms.

Teal is the color signifying awareness of ovarian cancer, which former player Aubree Maul fought and beat during her college career as a Roadrunners pitcher. Maul's final season was Van Wetzinga's first, in 2014, and she continues to attend games and alumni events.
The program has since held an annual day to signify all forms of cancer awareness.

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday will be Ceri Anderson, the mother of current Roadrunners first baseman Abby Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) and of former Roadrunners player Annika Anderson (Loveland, CO/Loveland H.S.).

Jim Anderson, Ceri's husband, passed away last summer due to cancer. A Jim Anderson Memorial Scholarship has since been established. To donate visit Roadrunnersathletics.com/strikeoutcancer. Be sure to enter strikeout cancer into the comments box when making your donation.

"They've been really strong through it," Van Wetzinga said. "It's been hard, but they've been strong. I think softball, coming to games, being around the other parents and players, has been a good thing for them.

"It was something Jim really loved. He was always one of the first fans here. He was a very positive, energetic guy, so he brought that to the field with him."

Friday's doubleheader will be played 24 hours earlier than expected, as the schedule was changed in order to avoid predicted chilly weather.

The Roadrunners are coming off a 10-2 loss to Montana State-Billings this past Sunday during a tournament played in Utah.

"I think it's good," Van Wetzinga said of the schedule change. "The weather will be better. We need to get back out there. Having a few practices is good to work on some specific things, to talk about some specific things. But at some point you need to just get back out on the field and compete again."

The Roadrunners started last year 2-8 as well, and also lost to Montana State-Billings 10-2 in Utah during its first 10 games. And last year's team bounced back to go 32-14 the rest of the way, including a 28-12 record in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.

"It's not the start we want, but what we have to remember – players and coaches – is that it's a long, long season," Van Wetzinga said. "There's plenty of time to right the ship. And there have been some bright spots. We're putting a lot of baserunners on. We've had some good pitching performances here and there. We just need to put everything together and we need everybody to trust the process and trust themselves more.

"As coaches, we're trying to flip some things in practice because what we're doing isn't always working. We're trying to change how we're approaching some things in practice, because we're part of this, too. It's not just the players. It's our job to get them where we need them mentally and physically in order to perform."