This Thursday, the Mayo baseball team isn't just playing a game—they're playing for something far bigger. The Spartans will host their third annual Strike Out Cancer night when they face crosstown rival John Marshall at 5 p.m. on May 7 at Mayo Field in Rochester. It's a game that honors the legacy of late coach Charlie Lonergan, a 2001 Mayo graduate and Kasson teacher who passed away from Glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in January 2024.
"It makes for a good night raising money for the Charlie Lonergan Foundation and bringing people together through baseball," said Mayo head coach Tom Senne. Last year's event raised roughly $3,500, with additional donations coming in throughout the summer—a testament to the community's enduring support.
The evening will be filled with meaningful touches. Players from both teams will wear colorful wrist tape and bracelets to recognize those fighting different types of cancer: pink for breast cancer, teal for ovarian cancer, and gray for brain cancer. When the PA announcer calls each batter to the plate, they'll share who they're "playing for"—a loved one affected by cancer. It's a powerful reminder that every swing, every pitch, and every run carries a story.
Before the first pitch, the "Team Charlie" Foundation will present the Charlie Lonergan Scholarship to a Mayo baseball player who embodies Charlie's selflessness, leadership, and impact. A local family currently facing cancer will also be recognized, and their child will have the honor of throwing out the first pitch.
Fans can get involved too: raffle baskets donated by Mayo baseball families, along with shirts and hats for sale, will have proceeds benefiting the foundation. It's a simple way to turn a night at the ballpark into a meaningful contribution.
Last year, Mayo baseball dedicated its clubhouse at Massey Field to Lonergan with a plaque during the 2025 event—a doubleheader against Century that saw the Spartans sweep with scores of 5-3 and 14-4. This Thursday, the Spartans will look to channel that same spirit as they take on John Marshall in a rivalry game that's about so much more than the final score.