Cade Belyeu put on an inspiring performance on a very difficult day on Friday as Auburn beat Holy Cross 4-1 in their season opener.
Belyeu lost his mother to cancer on Friday morning. On Friday night he hit a home run.
Belyeu had called his coach Butch Thompson first thing in the morning to tell him the sad news and insisted that his mother would have wanted him to play. Thompson didn't hesitate. Via the Auburn Tigers website:
"One of the most inspiring things I have seen in 32 years,” head coach Butch Thompson said of Belyeu’s performance. “That is the story line of this ball game, regardless of outcome or result. Staci wanted her son to play. I didn’t know how it would go, but he played an amazing game. It was pretty incredible.”
Here's the homer and the reaction from his teammates.
Can't make this stuff up. 🙏
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) February 15, 2025
Cade sends one outta here for Staci!
B6 | AU 3, HC 1 pic.twitter.com/F2kYYDp6xa
Just about two hours before Belyeu's home run Auburn posted a tribute to Cade's mother Staci Belyeu.
Playing with heavy hearts. 🙏
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) February 14, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with Cade Belyeu and his family during this very difficult time. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/RlMuwMK8Uz
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Auburn Baseball Player Hits Inspiring Home Run Hours After Losing His Mother.
