PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Four years ago, the Plattsburgh State baseball program lost a member of its family when Brian Mehan lost his battle with cancer.  In an effort to honor Brian, the Plattsburgh State baseball team is staging “Brian Mehan Be The Match Day” Tuesday.
 
Members of the Cardinal baseball team will host a Be The Match Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Angell College Center Ballroom.  Later that night, the Plattsburgh State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a Be The Match Drive from 6-7:30 p.m. at Lefty Wilson Field.
 
Joining the Be The Match Registry is easy and pain-free; volunteers simply need to swab the inside of a person's cheek for 30 seconds. On average, one in every 540 members of the Be The Match Registry in the United States will go on to donate bone marrow to a patient.
 
“Since the day we lost Brian, I have wanted to find a way to honor his courage and spirit,” Plattsburgh State baseball coach Kris Doorey said.  “I think this event hits the nail on the head.  Our event will combine the fight that Brian exhibited in his battle, combined with the game he loved.”
 
The Cardinals will host SUNY Canton in a non-conference game beginning at 7 p.m. at Lefty Wilson Field.  Prior to the contest the Cardinals will pair up with local Special Olympians to take the field.  The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by members of Brian Mehan’s family.
 
There will be numerous raffles taking place during the game, with proceeds being split evenly between the Be The Match Foundation and the Brian P. Mehan Memorial Scholarship at Plattsburgh High School.
 
“The Plattsburgh community and the student-athletes at Plattsburgh State have such a unique bond,” Doorey said.  “I knew once this event was in the planning process that it had the opportunity to be a huge success.”
 
If you or your business would like to donate any items to the raffle, or make a donation to the event, please contact Erin Conner at 564-4301.