Sailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) teamed up with the Norfolk Tides for Lincoln Day at Harbor Park, Aug. 6.

Lincoln's Sailor of the quarter, Ship's Serviceman 1st Class Marquita Canada, threw the first pitch on behalf of the ship to kick off the game.

"I was really nervous because I didn't want to embarrass myself by not getting the ball to the catcher," Canada said. "It was a huge honor to represent Lincoln and have fun doing it."

More than 1,200 Sailors from Lincoln attended the game. The event was organized by the head of Lincoln's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department, Brooke Webber, and John Muszkewycz, director of group sales for Norfolk Tides baseball club.

"I was really glad to get the opportunity to take a day away from work and be with my family for an event like this," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Valeria Arellano. "When my son heard the song 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' he just had to have peanuts and cracker jacks afterward."

The Lincoln color guard was on hand to parade the colors during the national anthem, which was sung by Lincoln Sailor Logistics Specialist 1st Class Mark Pollard.

"When I sing it's an escape from everyday life and a chance to have fun doing what I enjoy," Pollard said. "I am a little nervous when I go to sing, but once I start the world slips away and I can get lost in the music."

As the final touch to a great day of fun, the Norfolk Tides, the AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, took the win from the Louisville Bats for a 2-1 win.

"Today was one of my first experiences getting to do something of this nature and not only was it fun, but I got to see the Tides win too," Canada said.

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.