It’s easy to get caught up in college basketball especially with so many good teams in the Yellowhammer State as well as the year-round anticipation for football season, but college baseball season is fully underway as well.
Last week, the Auburn Tigers defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders 4-1 in their season-opening game on their way to winning the three-game series over the weekend two games to one.
The first game of the year was particularly emotional for one Tiger however in sophomore outfielder Cade Belyeu. Just hours before the game, Belyeu’s mother Staci lost her battle with cancer and passed away. Knowing his mother would want him to play, Belyeu took the field and in the sixth inning did something remarkable.
Belyeu hit a home run to right field to put the Tigers up by two runs, but the moment was so much bigger than just the run scored:
Can't make this stuff up. 🙏
Cade sends one outta here for Staci!
B6 | AU 3, HC 1 pic.twitter.com/F2kYYDp6xa
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) February 15, 2025
The story was so sensational it picked up national headlines, being covered by ABC World News:
View this post on Instagram
“One of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen in 32 years of coaching,” said Auburn’s head coach Butch Thompson after the game. “That is the storyline 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…This was one of those bigger-than-the-game moments.”
Auburn is off to a tremendous 7-1 start and Belyeu is on a tear offensively. With a batting average of .400 and on-base percentage of .531 to begin the season, Belyeu has been a key factor in the Tigers lineup and will only continue to do so as the season goes on.
Unquestionably, he will have his mother in his heart throughout the season.
