September means the end of baseball and the start of the THON fundraising season. On Friday, the two collide as the Washington Nationals host THON Night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lily Beatty, THON Public Relations Director, says the charity worked with the Nationals to find a date that would work. Because it falls on a canning weekend, it offers another way to support THON for students who are fundraising in the DC area. The location is also good for the many Penn State alumni who work and reside around our nation’s capital. The Metro Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Alumni Association will attend the game. Furthermore, THON’s Alumni Engagement Committee will run a table to greet Penn State alumni.

The Nationals will donate net proceeds of ticket sales to the Penn State Dance Marathon. Those interested in buying tickets, which start at only $17, can purchase them through the Nationals website. According to the Facebook page, organizations “can be credited for group sales of 13 or more.”

“We are really excited to be able to have an event away from State College to help kick off our year,” Beatty told Onward State. This will be the first time the Washington Nationals host a THON Night. They are the latest MLB franchise to support THON and join the likes of the Pirates, Phillies, and Mets. The Nationals will present THON with the Spirit of the Game Award before the opening pitch.

THON and the Nittany Lion are still in talks for an appearance from the mascot. Fans at the game can use the hashtag #NationalsFTK on social media.