DETROIT -- The sixth annual WSU baseball home run derby fundraiser was held on Tuesday, September 23 at Comerica Park. Junior
Alfredo Velazquez (Livonia, Mich. / Brother Rice [Michigan]) defeated senior
Bennett Hitzelberger (Richmond, Mich.) in the championship round with eight home runs to Hitzelberger's four. The total amount raised came out to $55,202 and was derived from 375 different donors/donations.
Results - First round (in chronological order)
7 HR - Tony Hatzigeorgiou
3 HR -
Gabe Zeldes
12 HR - Alfredo Velazquez
10 HR - Drew Hill
0 HR -
Drew Dawson
4 HR -
Caleb Sanders
2 HR -
Owen Tuccinardi
10 HR - Bennett Hitzelberger
1 HR -
Brayden Crowe
1 HR -
Ty Garza
3 HR -
Michael MacLean
2 HR -
Frank Jeney
Semifinals
1 seed - 2 HR - Velazquez
4 seed - 1 HR - Hatzigeorgiou
2 seed - 2 HR - Hitzelberger
3 seed - 1 HR - Hill
Finals
1 seed - 8 HR - Velazquez
2 seed - 4 HR - Hitzelberger
"This key event continues to expand every year for our program and community," said head coach
Ryan Kelley. "This year's derby offered another indelible downtown Detroit evening! A sincere and genuine thank you to approximately 400 donors who contributed to our student-athletes as they chase for the ultimate success on and off the field this academic calendar year. We are gratified by the number of individual donors, sponsors, families, fans and our tremendous alumni who impacted this experience. Thank you to the Detroit Tigers organization and their specialized departments for providing this distinct opportunity. Thank you to our Wayne State athletics' supportive departments for your exceptional assistance. We look forward to seeing everyone again at Harwell Field next spring!"
Public Address announcers included WSU baseball alumni
Reagan Paulina,
Ryan Foley and
Jake Finkbeiner as well as WSU Assistant Athletic Director
Mads McKenna.
Youth outfield shag participants represented the Indians Baseball Club, Michigan Bulls, Detroit Prospects, Warriors Baseball Club, Precision Patriots, Hawks Gold, Top Tier and the Hit Dogs organizations.
