Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Head Men's Basketball Coach Speedy Claxton will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday evening prior to the New York Mets game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. 

Claxton and members of the Hofstra men's basketball program will be on hand for a pregame ceremony recognizing the team for winning the CAA Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2001 season. 

Hofstra won 24 games during the 2025-26 season, including road victories over Pitt and Syracuse that drew national attention. The Pride won four straight games to end the regular season before winning three games in three days in March to capture the conference title and earn the berth in March Madness. The CAA title, a 75-69 win over Monmouth, was the program's second in the conference after winning the league crown in 2020. 

The Mets game will begin at 7:10 p.m. and air on WPIX.