Ryan Hilinski to throw out Seattle Mariners first pitch for Hilinski’s Hope

The mission to raise awareness for mental health never ends for Hilinski’s Hope, and it continues Saturday night when Tyler Hilinski’s brother, Ryan, returns to the Pacific Northwest to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland A’s.

It’s “WSU Coug Night” at the Mariners, so this totally fits. The game’s first pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PT, which means the ceremonial first pitch should take place around 7 p.m. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, the game is a “value game,” meaning tickets in the view level and bleachers can be had for $15 each. You can purchase them online here, or wait until you get to the ballpark and save yourself the Ticketmaster fees. Unfortunately, it’s too late for you to buy the Coug Night tickets and get yourself one of these badass hats.

Additionally, the family will be participating in the “Mayor of Maple Valley Open” on July 12 at Druids Glen, which is the charity golf tournament put on by WSU alumnus and Seattle sports radio personality Ian Furness. The proceeds go to both Hilinski’s Hope and the Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG foundation, which is looking for a cure to the rare brain cancer that took the life of the daughter of Brandon Huffman, a writer at 247Sports.com. Entries are sold out for the tournament, but I’m sure Furness wouldn’t object to any of you stopping by to bid on one (or more) of the silent auction items.

All this comes on the heels of the Hilinskis’ involvement in the ACC’s Mental Health and Wellness Summit and the CougsFirst! Quarterback Classic fundraiser in Pullman, both in May. Hilinski’s Hope also announced back in January that it would be partnering with the NCAA’s Sports Science Institute.

In case you were wondering, Ryan Hilinski is now a quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks getting ready to begin his freshman season after graduating and enrolling early. He figures to be the backup to entrenched starter Jake Bentley.

OUCH

So, former Washington State Cougars and current Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Ivan McLennan tweeted this out last night:

My first thought: Was he involved in a car accident that messed up his whole right side?

Nope, it’s actually worse.

“He’s in trouble,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson told the Calgary Sun earlier in the week. “Multiple ligaments, dislocated knee, broken hand all in one play. It was very unfortunate and it was his birthday, too.”

IT WAS HIS BIRTHDAY, TOO.

Damn, that’s cold. Best of luck in his recovery to McLennan, who also is the subject of one of my favorite ever WSU football photos:

Links

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