‘It’s not all about softball’

West Linn softball shows up for their annual cancer awareness game

Brooke Sanborn, Arts and Entertainment Editor
May 7, 2026

Every year, the West Linn High School softball team hosts their annual breast cancer awareness game against Lakeridge High School. This year, the game took place on May 1, at Rosemont Ridge Middle School but with new changes. While normally just focused on the fight against breast cancer, this time around, the event brought awareness to various types of cancer and even gave attendees the opportunity to donate to over 10 different cancer research charities. The game began with a 30-minute opening ceremony dedicated to honoring players’ loved ones, as well as West Linn and Lake Oswego residents battling cancer. During the opening ceremony, players were invited to bring out friends or family members of all ages who have or are battling cancer.

SURVIVOR ERA. Walking out with Vivi McGraw, senior and starting center fielder, during the opening ceremony was friend Olivia Henders, second grader. Henders sported a pink shirt with the words ‘In my survivor era,’ referring to her recovery from leukemia. “[Henders] was four when she was diagnosed, and we were on a camping trip. She got this purple rash, we didn’t know what it was, and then she went to the hospital,” McGraw said. “As soon as we got home from our trip, she got diagnosed [with leukemia], and she battled it for a couple years, and she’s been doing great since then.”
(Garrett Arendt)

FAMILY AFFAIR. During the opening ceremony, Amy Lendarduzzi, an 11-year cancer survivor, was brought out by her daughter, starting right fielder Claire Lendarduzzi, senior. “It was really emotional to see how many people cancer touches,” Amy said. “It doesn’t discriminate with age. We saw a little girl who’s a cancer survivor, all the way up to grandparents. It was really touching and moving to see that.” (Garrett Arendt)

PITCH PERFECT. Henders throws out the first pitch of the game to Piper Ruthrauff, senior. This was the first time in program history that a guest had thrown a ceremonial pitch in any game. This was also a first for Henders, as she had never thrown a pitch at a softball game before. “I was a little nervous [throwing the first pitch],” Henders said. “At my school, I do shoe tossing, and Ms. Lang was helping me learn how to do it. And I used my tips that I got from her.” (Garrett Arendt)

RUNNER UP. Rounding third base, Payton Norquist, sophomore, heads towards home, bringing the score from 1—2 to 2—2 tying the score for the Lions. Gina Garvey-Metzler is the head coach of the softball team and has been coaching at the high school for five years. “Everyone [on the team] shows up a little bit more [for this game],” Garvey-Metzler said. “There’s a lot of crying before the games, because it impacts a lot of people, and so it definitely is more of a bonding opportunity, because it makes them see that it’s not all about softball.” (Garrett Arendt)

RAISING IT UP. In years past, this game was primarily to show support for breast cancer. But this year, it was opened up to all types of cancer and featured QR codes for spectators to donate to cancer research. When the tradition began, it was due to Coach Chuck Schroeder, the assistant junior varsity coach at West Linn. “[Schroeder’s] wife had cancer before I got here, and I think that’s where it started,” Garvey-Metzler said. “They wanted to do a game for her, and then it snowballed, and we have just gotten it bigger and bigger every year.”
(Garrett Arendt)

RESPECTING RIVALS. Kendall Atwood, senior, celebrates on second base after a double next to a Lakeridge player. Even though this game was played against a district competitor, Lakeridge High School, the teams both found common ground in raising awareness for cancer and supporting those battling it. “We’ve been doing this game with Lakeridge since I’ve been here,” Garvey-Metzler said. “They’ve always been the team that we asked to do this with, because they are our neighbors, and it’s the same community. Being able to show support across both teams makes it super easy. And they also want to be here to support everything that we’re doing well.”
(Garrett Arendt)

IN IT TO WIN IT. After a long battle and several innings with no runs scored, West Linn beat Lakeridge 8—3. West Linn is currently ranked first in the 6A Three Rivers league and has yet to lose during league play. Emily Rucker, freshman, pitched the first four innings. “I love winning, obviously, but I think it was really cool how we struggled a bit at the start, but then our team came together,” Rucker said. “I think we all really had the intention and heart.”
(Garrett Arendt)

SHOW OF SUPPORT. Atwood hits the ball after walking up with her cancer-survivor aunt and grandparents just an hour before. “I was playing for my grandparents and my aunt, because they’re my biggest supporters, and they’re always there, and they’ve come to so many games—or if they’re not able to come, they’re always watching on the TV,” Atwood said. “They’ve had [cancer] for a lot of my life. So I think I’ve been around it and I’ve seen how hard they fight, and so I want to be able to show them my support.” (Garrett Arendt)

PRETTY IN PINK. Both the Pacers and the Lions sported pink jerseys for the occasion. Spectators of the game were also encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness, or another color associated with a different type of cancer awareness. “I think we really capitalized on it, that it’s not just breast cancer, it’s all types of cancer,” Atwood said. “Everyone, all ages, is affected by different things, and we need to give awareness [to] every cancer, not just breast cancer.”
(Garrett Arendt)

MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.” (Garrett Arendt)

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About the Contributors

Brooke Sanborn, Staff Reporter

Brooke Sanborn, junior, is a Staff Reporter for wlhsNOW, and a member of the Awards Committee. She enjoys writing reviews on books, plays, movies and TV shows. Brooke is also passionate about the environment and animal rights. In her free time she enjoys reading, attending concerts, hiking, backpacking and hanging out with her dog, Hazel. In the future, Brooke aspires to work with books in the publishing industry. You can check out more of her work in her portfolio.

Garrett Arendt, Multimedia Editor

In his fourth and final year of high school journalism, Garrett Arendt, senior, is serving as the Multimedia Editor and Multimedia Committee Chair. Outside of journalism, Arendt enjoys collecting jerseys, playing sports and video games, and hanging out with friends. In journalism, Arendt loves all things multimedia, from making videos to interactive graphics to recording podcasts with the West Linn Weekly Wake Up. He also enjoys writing things of all kinds, with an emphasis on features and sports. By the end of the year, Arendt is hoping to leave off on a high note, grow his portfolio, and finish what he’s started.