Striking out breast cancer

When head coach Kyla Holas sent out a text message asking her players if they knew any cancer survivors to throw out the first pitch of tonight’s sixth annual Striking Out Breast Cancer Game, sophomore pitcher Bailey Watts had the perfect candidate.

Watts’ grandmother, Glynis Matthews, is a breast cancer survivor. She attends all of the Cougars’ home games and is “ecstatic” to be a part of the event.

“It’s a big thing for me,” Watts said. “And for my grandma to be a part of it, it touches me. It’s very moving for me and I’m so glad that she gets to be a part of it.

“Since I was little, she comes to almost every single game. She doesn’t miss home games. She’s just a huge part of my life, so this is a really big deal for me.”

Last season, the Cougars used the game to raise nearly $11,000 for Susan G. Komen’s Houston affiliate.

“If I can give something to somebody and put a smile on their face or make their day, that makes me happy,” Watts said. “Being able to contribute money, especially a significant amount of money that’s a big deal, and the fact that we do it as a team, that’s just great.”

Watts has lost several other family members to cancer, but she is not the only player who has lost someone close to cancer. Haley and Diedre Outon lost their mother to the disease.

“Haley and Diedre have been through it,” Watts said.

“ I think that on a daily basis, they have to get through it and the fact that we can do this as a team and it definitely means something to them, I think it’s different when it’s your mom.”

The Cougars have found a way to have “Mama Outon” be a part of the team, though.

“If something great happens, we always say things like, ‘Mama Outon’s watching over us,’ or ‘your mom’s an angel today.’” Watts said. “Even sometimes on the plane, if the plane gets shaky, we’re like, ‘Oh come on Mama Outon.’ We know she’s constantly always there, so this is a huge deal, especially for them too.”

Helping the cause

Last season, the Cougars played Texas A&M for the Striking Out Breast Cancer Game and drew a crowd of 1,672, a record for Cougar Softball Stadium.

The Cougars hope to draw even more fans this year against No. 6 Texas and raise money through a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting the Houston affiliate of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Cougars and Longhorns will be outfitted in pink jerseys and helmets that will later be available in the auction.

In addition to the game-worn jerseys and helmets, several other items will be up for auction, including a Case Keenum autographed picture, a Matt Schaub autographed mini helmet, a Michael Bourn autographed UH hat and ball, a Roger Clemens autographed UT hat and ball, a Donnie Avery autographed football and a Cat Osterman Team USA autographed photo, among many other items.

The auction begins at 4 p.m. More information can be found at www.UHCougars.com.

Following the game, the players will also sign autographs for fans.

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