The Florence Freedom hosted the annual Business Professional Home Run Derby on Wednesday, June 6. The event was presented by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas More College alum and Hall of Fame member, Noah Welte, represented the Saints in the competition. Welte currently serves as Associate Legal Counsel for the college. Between two separate rounds of pitches Welte hit a total of 11 home runs. In his final at bat Welte hit six out of the park, which was enough for him to win the championship.

Welte was a member of the Thomas More College baseball team and was inducted into the Thomas More College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

“It was a privilege to participate in the NKY Chamber of Commerce Business Professional HR Derby.  The Florence Freedom provided an incredible atmosphere for the event, and I cannot say enough about the Chamber’s support of our Northern Kentucky community and Thomas More College,” Welte says. “As always, the Thomas More community along with my family and friends came out in full force to provide me with the home field advantage.  You never accomplish anything alone, and I was fortunate enough to stand on the shoulders of their support and encouragement and ride that to a win.  As an alum and employee, I feel a lot of pride in being able to positively represent the school I love. Special thanks to my family and friends for their support in the stands and virtually, to the Thomas More community who showered me with pep talks, encouragement, and ‘Let’s Go Saints!’ cheers, and to President Armstrong for believing in me to represent Thomas More and giving me the opportunity to throw on my old Saints jersey again.”

Thomas More College President David A. Armstrong, J.D., was one of the fans cheering Welte on to victory. “I was so excited to see our Saints Hall of Famer and Legal Counsel, Noah Welte, demonstrate his Saints baseball skills to become the new NKY Chamber/Florence Freedom HR Derby champion,” Armstrong commented. “He did a great job showing that the Thomas More Saints never lose their skills and drive to be the best. We all had a ball cheering him on.”