Who’s on first? Slinky Dog
The Oklahoma baseball team defeated the Sooners’ softball team, 2-1, Wednesday in the annual Halloween game which raised more than $16,000 in donations for the OU Children’s Hospital’s Paws for Purpose program. Paws for Purpose is the facility’s therapy dog program.
NORMAN — Oklahoma’s baseball team had a decided advantage during Wednesday night’s annual Sooners baseball/softball Halloween game at Marita Hynes Field.
The baseball tandem of Kyle Mendenhall and Brandon Zaragoza teamed up for their costume, dressing as Toy Story’s Slinky Dog and played first base, considerably shortening the distance needed for throws to first.
“Maybe a little,” softball player Lea Wodach said of whether the baseball team gained an advantage with their first base strategy.
But while Slinky Dog helped the baseball team pull off the 2-1 win, the game more importantly helped raise more than $16,000 in donations for the OU Children’s Hospital’s Paws for Purpose program. Paws for Purpose is the facility’s therapy dog program.
“It’s a blast to come dressed up and play a part in raising money for the children’s hospital,” said Wodach, who was one of several softball players dressed as pirates for the game.
The game began in 2013 as a baseball event and evolved to include the softball program, which hosted the game in 2015.
Wodach recently was part of a group that visited the hospital.
“We’ve been working hard to try to get the word out on social media to raise money,” Wodach said.
After the game, five players from each team teamed up for a home run derby to raise even more money for the program. Landers Auto Group donated $50 for each home run, totalling $2,450.
Dominic DeRenzo, dressed as Waldo, started the derby off by hitting five home runs to raise $250.
Softball freshman Jocelyn Alo led the way with seven home runs in her 10 swings, while Hannah Sparks (dressed as a Minion) and baseball player Tyler Hardman hit six each.
Hardman, who lost his Ghostbusters getup for the contest, hit the top of the light pole in left-center with one of his home runs.
Alo ditched the football shoulder pads she’d worn during the game, as one of a group of softball players wearing OU football uniforms for the contest.
Nicole Pendley started off dressed as a Starbucks drink but also came out of full costume for the home run derby portion.