Lebanon baseball rallies around senior diagnosed with rare cancer

Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.

Knox Mills of Hamilton shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week, Jan. 23, 2026.

The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Feb. 13, 2026.

The Norwood boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Dec. 26, 2025.

Maddie Turner of Norwood shared the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for Jan. 9, 2026.

The Norwood boys wrestling team shared the certificate the boys won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine winter team of the week for Jan. 9, 2026. With them, at left, is Maddie Turner, who won the girls wrestler of the week the same week.

Grayson Ozias of Ross shares the certificate she earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine swimmer/diver of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

Kian Bronner of Loveland shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

Logan Cole of Felicity-Franklin shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school boys basketball player of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

Bryton Vaughn of Talawanda shares the certificate he won as the Feb. 6 Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys bowler of the week.

Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.

The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.

Hannah Weigle of Little Miami shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.

Colton Dickerson of Springboro shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.

The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.

Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.

Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.

Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.

Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.

Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.

Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.

From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.

Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.

Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.

Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.

Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.

Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.

Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.

Emily Steinke of Lakota East shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer Spirit Award individual winner for the week of Sept. 12, 2025.

The South Dearborn High School cheerleaders share the certificate they won as The Enquirer Spirit Award team winner for Sept. 19.

Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

Mia Young of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine tennis player of the week for Sept. 19.

Elena Kelley of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer of the week for Sept. 19.

Makenna Martin of Fairfield shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer's Spirit Award winner for Sept. 26, 2025.

Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.

Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.

Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.

The Newport Central Catholic cheerleaders won the Cincinnati Enquirer Spirit Award for Aug. 29, 2025.

Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.

1 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.

2 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Knox Mills of Hamilton shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week, Jan. 23, 2026.

3 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Feb. 13, 2026.

4 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The Norwood boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Dec. 26, 2025.

5 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Maddie Turner of Norwood shared the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for Jan. 9, 2026.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The Norwood boys wrestling team shared the certificate the boys won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine winter team of the week for Jan. 9, 2026. With them, at left, is Maddie Turner, who won the girls wrestler of the week the same week.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Grayson Ozias of Ross shares the certificate she earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine swimmer/diver of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

8 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Kian Bronner of Loveland shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

9 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Logan Cole of Felicity-Franklin shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school boys basketball player of the week for Feb. 6, 2026

10 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Bryton Vaughn of Talawanda shares the certificate he won as the Feb. 6 Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys bowler of the week.

11 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Hannah Weigle of Little Miami shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Colton Dickerson of Springboro shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.

17 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Emily Steinke of Lakota East shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer Spirit Award individual winner for the week of Sept. 12, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The South Dearborn High School cheerleaders share the certificate they won as The Enquirer Spirit Award team winner for Sept. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Mia Young of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine tennis player of the week for Sept. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Elena Kelley of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer of the week for Sept. 19.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Makenna Martin of Fairfield shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer's Spirit Award winner for Sept. 26, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

36 / 45

2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

The Newport Central Catholic cheerleaders won the Cincinnati Enquirer Spirit Award for Aug. 29, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.

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2025-2026 Enquirer Spirit Award, Beacon Orthopaedics athlete of week winners' photos

John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.

The Lebanon baseball team's 7-2 win over Kings on Thursday, April 30, was more than just a leg up in this year's rivalry series.

Before the game, the Lebanon community honored senior three-sport athlete Zach Amburgy, who has been diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer.

The teams and spectators wore green accessories (the color associated with liver cancer), booths at the entrance sold snacks and refreshments to raise money for the Amburgy family, and Zach threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his classmate, Peyton Livingston.

Lebanon senior Zach Amburgy, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Warriors' game against Kings.

"It's exciting. Great. I love it. It really shows how strong of a community we are," Zach said.

Amburgy actually suffered a knee injury in the first football game of the year that sidelined him until the wrestling season. When he started to experience bloating, loss of appetite, throwing up after meals and yellowing skin, he went to the doctor and got the diagnosis after some blood work.

Lebanon senior Zach Amburgy, front row center, celebrates with the Warriors’ baseball team after their River’s Bend rivalry win over Kings.

While hearing the words, "You have cancer" is a life-changing experience, Zach and his family, including his three brothers and sister, are keeping a true wrestler, and Warrior, mentality.

"It's a long, hard journey, but we stayed positive from the beginning," Zach's father, Toby, said.

After he was diagnosed in mid-April, he spent nearly two weeks in the hospital but was able to attend his senior prom on April 18. In the coming weeks and months, he will receive chemotherapy in addition to in-home nursing care.

A handful of team mothers organized the event, dubbed the "Packed for Zach" game, in two weeks, enough to print custom "Amburgy Strong" jerseys for the team and allow Kings to be part of the festivities.

Lebanon catcher Ethan Keffaber sports a green ribbon on the back of his catcher's mask in support of Zach Amburgy.

"It touches your heart. You hate seeing a kid in that situation at that age, but to see the rally of his teammates and friends, that means more than anything," Lebanon head coach Keith Shilt said. "Credit to (Kings). They came to us. When I sent the information of what we were doing to (Kings coach) Ryan (Hayes), he said, 'How can we be unified?' It's a class act."

The Do Good Mission, based in Morrow, has posted a fundraising Facebook page for "Zach's fight," with a $20,000 fundraising goal for the family.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lebanon baseball senior Zach Amburgy honored after cancer diagnosis