SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The No. 5 ranked CSUSB baseball team defeated Sonoma State in the series finale on Sunday by a final score of 13-3, winning the series and improving their record to 23-8 on the season. But more importantly, the team used the game as an opportunity to recognize World Autism Awareness Day, which takes place annually on April 2nd.
 

World Autism Awareness
Before the game, the team welcomed members of the autism community to Fiscalini Field in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day. All of the student-athletes, gameday staff, and younger fans were given a free Light It Up Blue t-shirt to wear during the event to promote a campaign by AutismSpeaks.org aimed at calling attention to the challenges that those on the spectrum face in their everyday lives. These shirts were also available for purchase, with all proceeds being donated to the CSUSB University Center for Developmental Disabilities (UCDD).

The event also included a ceremonial first pitch in which Emilio Sola, son of interim CSUSB baseball athletic trainer Mike Sola, delivered a strike to Jake Borst. Sola was joined on the field by former interim Athletics Director and former Faculty Athletics Representative, and the founder of the UCDD, Dr. Dwight Sweeney.
 

"As a proud parent of my autistic son Emilio Sola, I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredibly emotional and significant ceremony that took place at Fiscalini Field before the game versus Sonoma State, in which my son threw the ceremonial first pitch as part of the festivities.

Along with my heartfelt thanks to the CSUSB administration for their support of this historical event, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Monique Carranza, Mike Nadeau, Rene Leal, Alex Kline, Maddy Luna, Jalyn Hayes, Pat Walsh and the entire staff and players for their cooperation. Seeing all those players, fans and support staff wearing the Autism Awareness shirts as my son and I approached the plate is a moment I shall cherish forever." – Mike Sola, Interim Athletic Trainer

 
Following the game, younger fans and members of the autism community were welcomed onto the field to participate in running around the bases, as well as get autographs from the student-athletes.
 
 
The Game
Just as they did all weekend, the CSUSB bats kept it rolling with 16 hits and 13 runs on Sunday. In total, the Yotes outscored the Seawolves 57-18 in the 3-1 series win. Shortstop Riley Parker and right fielder Giovanni Del Negro each hit home runs in the game, while catcher Garrett Macias went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Ben Davidson also collected three hits in the game, setting a career-high.
 
Austyn Coleman once again delivered a quality start on the mound, allowing zero runs in 6.0 innings. The senior has given up three or less runs in all eight of his starts this season, good for a 2.98 ERA on the season with a perfect 5-0 record. Coleman now leads the conference as the only pitcher to have five wins on the season.

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