FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Members of a Fort Carson honor guard present the colors as Colorado Springs Sky Sox players and a youth baseball team from Colorado Springs honor the nation prior to the beginning of the May 11 Fort Carson Appreciation Night at ...

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Jessica Anguiano, wife of Sgt. Mario Anguiano, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., prepares to sing the national anthem at Sky Sox Fort Carson Appreciation Night at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs,...

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Fort Carson took center stage during Colorado Springs Sky Sox pregame ceremonies May 11, as two Soldiers threw out ceremonial first pitches and a color guard presented the colors as a Family member sang the national anthem.

Capt. Matt Anderson, Warrior Transition Battalion, and Spc. Eric Kishbaugh, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had the honor of throwing out the first pitch prior to Jessica Anguiano, wife of Sgt. Mario Anguiano, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the annual Sky Sox Fort Carson Appreciation Night at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Rockies triple-A affiliate, in partnership with CenturyLink and United Services Automobile Association, provided free tickets to Fort Carson Soldiers for the opportunity to enjoy a baseball game with Family and friends.

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Arther, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, brought his Family out for the first of many nights at the stadium. He said his Family usually attends six to 12 Sky Sox games a year, but Fort Carson night is always special.

"This is a good time for members of the unit to … get the Families together in a place where they can meet each other and have a good time at a baseball game," Arther said. "As Soldiers, we spend a lot of time with each other at work, but there isn't as much time for the Families to get together. This is a great opportunity for our Families to get to know each other."

For Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lawniczak, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, the game provided an opportunity to share his love of the national pastime with his Family and friends.

"I have been playing baseball all my life and have been going to stadiums for games as long as I can remember," he said. "I enjoy coming out to the stadium, especially today since they are honoring the Fort Carson community. I saw this as an opportunity to bring the Family together and get a little closer with the Soldiers and get to know their Families," Lawniczak said.

The sellout crowd showered the Fort Carson participants with their appreciation throughout the night and cheered the Sky Sox to a come-from behind 10-7 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers.