By Tiffany Williams –
After a four-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Baltimore Orioles are set to welcome fans back to the vibrant atmosphere of Oriole Park for their much-anticipated Home Opener on Monday at 3:05 p.m., where they will face off against the historic Boston Red Sox.
As part of the festivities, the Orioles will honor the remarkable achievements of the University of Maryland’s men’s and women’s basketball teams during a heartfelt pregame ceremony.
Representing the men’s team, the Orioles will host local talents Derik Queen and Julian Reese, while the women’s team will be showcased through Maryland-native Allie Kubek and senior standout Shyanne Sellers.
In a special gesture, these four athletes will come together to simultaneously throw ceremonial first pitches, symbolizing their shared pride in their community and athletic excellence.
Additionally, Queen and Sellers will make their mark as the Orioles’ first Guest Splashers of the season in the newly expanded Bird Bath Splash Zone, adding a splash of excitement to the day.
Derik Queen and Julian Reese played pivotal roles in leading the men’s team to a thrilling Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament. Queen’s defining moment came when he secured a nail-biting victory for the Terps with a spectacular buzzer-beater against Colorado State. Even though their tournament run ended prematurely, Queen’s indomitable spirit and strong connection to Baltimore shone through when he passionately stated, “I’m from Baltimore. That’s why,” during a postgame interview, embodying the heart of a true local.
On the women’s side, stars Allie Kubek and Shyanne Sellers recently faced the formidable reigning champion South Carolina Gamecocks in their Sweet 16 matchup. Though they were ultimately defeated, this milestone marks the first time that both the Maryland men’s and women’s teams advanced to the Sweet 16, a testament to the thriving basketball culture at the university.
Sports Insider Daily 