The Strikeout Cancer Event in Highland had already been a successful baseball event in its first running last year, but this year a new component was added.

A 5K race.

And by all measures, it was a success as volunteer and Highland cross country coach Katie Mancuso said the race raised about $2,100 for cancer patient care package and services.

“I was just thinking about it throughout the summer, and I was like, ‘Why not have a 5K, too?” said Highland baseball coach John Manganiello, who organizes the Strikeout Cancer event, which was held Saturday at Tony Williams Park. “It’s a good promotional thing, as far as promoting health and getting out there, and running and pushing. I thought it was a great touch to the whole thing.”

The Wallkill cross-country team dominated the race as Mario Verruto won the race with a time of 16:55.50 and his teammates Jake Craypo and Nathaniel Diemoz took second and third. Josh Craypo was fifth.

Basil Metz was the top finisher from Highland with a sixth-place finish in 19:28.16.

Audra Cannizzaro was the top female finisher with a time of 22:49.23. She was 13th overall.

The race wasn’t limited to the cross-country teams. Highland’s softball team, along with head coach Kathelene Canosa, ran the event, along with several members of the baseball team, who played a game against the Marlboro Iron Dukes later in the afternoon.

Manganiello, a survivor of Stage 4 colon cancer, finished 58th.

Then, after the race, it was time for baseball and Highland outfielder Zack Osterhoudt, who faced his own cancer battle last year, and started Saturday’s game for the Huskies, threw out the first pitch before the game between the Wallkill Panthers and FDR Presidents.

Manganiello fought back tears as he talked about Osterhoudt.

“Watching what he went through and being able to make it back on the field was just amazing,” Manganiello said. “I teared up and it was just happiness. I was just happy for the kids to get back out here and start playing.”

Manganiello’s surgeon Pranat Kumar threw out the first pitch before the game, along with one other.

Some of the raffles also helped Wallkill baseball player C.J. Bobbell, who is currently fighting leukemia. He wasn’t able to attend the event.

The Panthers defeated FDR, 10-0, in the first baseball game. The Marlboro Iron Dukes beat Manganiello’s Highland Huskies, 6-3, in the second game.

“It’s just amazing,” Manganiello said. “I just love how they bring the towns together, and they create such a community. When you say community, sometimes you think about your own, but our community is the whole area.”