Sampson Middle School pitcher Brittany Cottle has taken the mound for a feat much larger than a win this season. With her team behind her, Cottle brought new meaning to “fight like a girl” with her Relay for Life fund-raising Pink Strikes Back.

“We always hang out at Relay for Life every year (June 4-5). I think that teenagers go, but don’t know what it’s all about,” said Cottle. “I felt as a teenager, we could do our part this year to donate money for a good cause because one of us could easily get it when we are older. We need to fight back, like a girl.”

When the light bulb sparked in Cottle’s head to host a Relay for Life event, little did she know that her actions would affect more then current fighters, it touched the entire school.

“We (Alex Purcell, Lane Hall and Peyton Holder) were in journalism class and decided to have a Relay for Life game,” Cottle told of the event’s start. “We had to go to Cindy Norris so she could be our advisors and fill out the paper work. We then had to bring all the food and drinks to sell at the concession.”

Cottle, who also played a part in organizing the Fellowship for Christian Students F.L.A.M.E. concert in March, said the team was able to utilize the leftover food and drink from this event.

“The girls on the team also donated items,” Cottle added.

Pink Strikes Back consisted of three home baseball and softball games dedicated to raising funds for Relay for Life. Each game was kicked off with a cancer survivor or current fighter throwing out the first pitch.

“We got T-shirts with our names and numbers on the back for the games. The guys have them too, but only wear them to school; probably because they are pink,” joked Cottle.

Whether in pink or black and gold, during the three Relay for Life games, the Dark Horses raised close to $450.

“(Pink Strikes Back) was fun,” said teammate Mytia Williams. “It’s helping people out with cancer because people are losing their lives. It was nice to have teachers (and parents) throw out the first pitch all while raising money for a good cause.”

Cottle, who said she believes the community should give back and help battle cancer no matter what age, said she plans to continue Pink Strikes Back at Clinton High School next spring.