BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Over 700 locals attended Cal State Bakersfield's 6th annual Hot Stove Dinner in support of the Roadrunner's baseball team.
The dinner attracted a major keynote speaker, former Los Angeles Dodger's pitcher and now broadcaster, Orel Hershiser.
"We can’t be more excited to have a guy like Orel Hershiser here to represent our program on a night like this, because he’s the epitome of guys we have in this program," said head baseball coach, Jeremy Beard.
They Cy Young pitcher also spoke to the team one-on-one before his speech.
“I cant wait to talk to them," said Hershiser. "That’ll be fun. I can’t imagine a big-leaguer talking to me, when I was back in college."
"We look up to them. Not just players, but coaches like Dusty Baker and [Tommy] Lasorda. We look up to them. So it’s just interesting to see what they share with us. A lot of it is all great stuff and a lot of us take it to heart, and we’ll use it moving forward," said catcher, Jake Ortega.
CSUB auctioned off Dodger's memorabilia like an autographed, Cody Bellinger baseball, Calyton Kershaw signed poster, and much more.
Every year, CSUB says they are expected to raise over $100,000 to benefit the baseball program.
“I'm super appreciative," said Ortega. "The fundraiser helps our program grow, helps the school grow and helps put Bakersfield on the map as far as Division I baseball, and I think that’s exactly what that does."
