Junior catcher Diego Mendoza racked up four home runs to win the Shawnee State University baseball team’s home run derby fundraiser Oct. 13 at Branch Rickey Park, the home field of the Bears.
“It felt amazing, especially since my parents were watching,” Mendoza said. “They were proud of me and that is all that mattered.”
Mendoza explained that going into the derby with stamina and keeping an eye for specific pitches aided him in his success.
The event was organized to raise money for new equipment for the team. Players raised funds by selling balls — specifically chances that a player would hit a home run with that ball — to the general public. For $10, people could purchase a ball to be used at random in the event, and for $20, the purchaser could select a specific batter.
Each player on the team got 15 pitches, and those who hit home runs moved on to the next round of the event. The last two balls remaining in the event earned the purchasers $400 for first place and $200 for second place. Aaron Tice, the father of Bears infielder Trent Tice won first place, and outfielder Par Rockhold’s grandfather Ken Rockhold won second place.
