By Joshua Yoder

MOUNT UNION – First the first time ever! Many names from the past of the Mount Union baseball program decided to come together and help provide for their community as the Trojans hosted their first annual Alumni baseball game this past Saturday afternoon.

Players from multiple generations of Mount Union baseball put their cleats back on and hit the diamond to help the charity called Champ which stands for Creating Hope And Making Progress. Champ is an organization that helps those who struggle with their medical expenses.

21 different players from different eras came out to play for this special game. Those that competed during the event were current Head Coach of the program Tim Hicks who was a part of the Gold team. Joining Hicks were Wade Stubbs, Corey Wertz, Drew Harshberger, Davin Yocum, Abe Werich, Ryan Knepp, Kyle Morrow, Matt Chilcote and Ron Blair.

On the Blue team, there was Kevin Barger, Ryan Polliano, Johnny Martinez

Brenton Park, Vince Lear, Georgie Bilger, Ryan McGonigle, George Bilger, Greg Scott and Tim Lear.

Blue Team got on the board first during the top of the first as Martinez blasted a double to centerfield which brought home Park to make it a 1-0 lead.

Blue Team added on another run in the top of the second as George Bilger scored on a passed ball, extending the lead to 2-0.

Gold Team eventually tied up the game during the bottom of the third inning where both coach Hicks and Blair were able to hustle their way to home plate on a pair of passed balls.

With the score at two apiece, the Gold Team took the team and never looked back during the bottom of the fourth scoring three runs in the frame.

These guys also provided that your only as old as you feel as multiple times during the game both teams showed incredible displays of athleticism. One such play happened during the bottom of the first where Blue Team turned a triple play to get out of the inning and leaving Barger as the only pitcher in the game who did not give up a hit.

Head Coach Hicks himself flashed the leather at shortstop as he pulled off a barehanded grab and fired a rocket to first for an out.

Another example was Vince Lear who made an amazing diving catch from the pitcher’s mound and quickly threw back to first base for an unassisted double play.

Overall, the Gold Team were the ones who came out victorious by the final score of 5-2. But the real winners were Champ and the late Great Nick Imperioli. Prior to the seventh inning, all of the players and spectators stood together in unison for a seventh inning moment of silence to honor their former coach.

Imperioli made what Mount Union baseball what it is today. Don’t believe me, check out these amazing stats. A 43 year career with a coaching record of 767-208, three state championships, two state runner-ups, five state final fours, two state third place finishes, 27 District final appearances, 17 District titles, 10 District runner-ups.

It can never be understated how big of an impact that coach Imperioli had on not just his former players, but to everyone in Mount Union.

RIP Coach Imperioli! And our continued prayers to your family and all of the lives you helped throughout your historical career.

Thank you to coach Hicks and the rest of the Alumni of Mount Union baseball. Can’t wait to see what happens next year!

Until Next Time!