DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University softball team celebrated its "Strike Out Cancer" game with a sweep of Covenant College on Friday afternoon at Cougar Field. Carrie Hendrick, Averett's director of the Athletic Training Education Program and former head athletic trainer who is currently battling ovarian cancer, kicked the event off by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

As part of the NCAA's nation-wide Division III Week, the event was held in honor of Hendrick, as well other family members of past and present Cougars who have battled cancer.  The softball team accepted donations during the doubleheader to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  Along with raising funds, team members, coaches, family members and staff also wore teal T-shirts — the official color of ovarian cancer support — to support Hendrick and all others battling cancer.

Hendrick was quick to point out how all of the support she has received from Averett faculty, staff, and students has provided her with motivation in her fight against the disease.

"I think for me it is huge to have a support system," Hendrick said. "Anybody who's had cancer or had family members go through cancer knows that it's just as much mental as it is physical. For me, this go-around, I've had so much support to keep me positive. If I'm having one of my days and a student-athlete or staff member pops their head into my office and smiles, it just makes me want to keep going. Knowing you have all those people who are supporting you and relying on you to push through just gives you that extra motivation to keep going."

Hendrick also said that cancer awareness and research events such as "Strike Out Cancer" also provide help for those without a support group.

"It's huge for other people besides me," Kendrick said. "It's huge for all the other women and men that are battling cancer."

According to Hendrick, it was also nice to see awareness of ovarian cancer being spread by such events.

"Many people didn't know that teal was the official color of ovarian cancer," Hendrick said. "So to see that teal out there and raise awareness of ovarian cancer is huge."

In addition to honor Hendrick's battle with cancer, the Cougars also welcomed senior pitcher Taylor Mahaffey's mother, Terry, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September and is in remission as of late February.