This year, falling on April 4th, was Westmont’s varsity baseball team’s eighth home game of the season against the Leigh high school Longhorns. The KV8 (KirkVasquez8) memorial game is a tradition held on the eighth home game of the season, in order to properly honor the legacy of Kirk Vasquez. Kirk was a former Westmont student and baseball player who left an impact on everyone he came in contact with and throughout his time at Westmont he wore number eight. Ever since Kirk’s unfortunate passing, the number eight has been highly symbolic of him and can be found in many places in his name. During the KV8 memorial game it was spray painted onto the field before play and seen by all of the Varsity baseball players as they took their turns walking up to the batter’s box. Many of Kirk’s family members as well as coaches and loved ones wear this number in his memory and it is found all throughout the training facility of his previous summer baseball team, the California Bulldogs. Prior to the first pitch of the game, they provided a speech to state the significance of the game and the number eight jersey. This year senior Kimo Raub was awarded the privilege of wearing the number eight because of his leadership and passion within the baseball team. A small ceremony to pass on the jersey took place at the game. Between innings, Westmont continued to share information about Kirk and his Legacy. More about him can be found online at https://kv8memorialfoundation.org or on its Instagram page. The final score of the memorial game was 7-1, Leigh. Despite Westmont’s loss, fans were heart-warmed as they realized the two scores added together add up to Kirk’s Number eight! May Kirk always rest in peace and his legacy never be forgotten.
