Shorter Softball to host 5th Annual Border Battle for Breast Cancer

By Blair Hooper

ROME -- The Shorter University softball program has announced plans to host the 5th Annual Border Battle for Breast Cancer Awareness tournament on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Alto Park Softball Complex.

Six teams from Georgia and Alabama will compete in this year's Border Battle -  Shorter, Gordon College, Brenau University, Middle Georgia College, Georgia Peaches Travel Team and Emmanuel College out of Georgia; and Gadsden State from Alabama.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit The Breast Center at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, a state-of-the-art cancer research, treatment and recovery center dedicated to breast cancer patients.

Russell Team Uniforms is supplying all players, coaches and umpires with pink wrist bands, each participating team is donating $50 and all gate receipts and money from the sale of the famous Shorter Softball pink t-shirts will be donated to The Breast Center at Floyd.

"This is one of the highlights of our season," said Shorter head coach Al Thomas. "Our girls enjoy being a part of this fundraising event and they work extremely hard to collect donations and sell t-shirts. Our team has been affected by breast cancer on a personal level and it gives them even more determination to go out and do their best at reaching others to raise awareness for the betterment of women's health."

Over the past four years, Shorter's softball program has raised and donated more than $20,000.00 to The Breast Center at Floyd as well as the local chapter of the Cancer Navigators.

This year, the Lady Hawks will welcome in three breast cancer survivors to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and The Breast Center will be on hand at Alto Park with information and give-a-ways in efforts to promote women's health and education.

"The team enjoys the relationship we have made with The Breast Center at Floyd," said Lady Hawk senior Brooke Bryan. "This cause is also personal to me because i have a family member that is a breast cancer survivor. Working to raise money and awareness is a lot of fun because it brings our team closer and helps us build a strong bond with one another."

Shorter will play three games in this year's Border Battle and will open against Gadsden State on Saturday at 11 a.m. before closing out the afternoon against Middle Georgia at 2 p.m. and Georgia Peaches at 4 p.m.