Sometimes dreams do come true.

Ever since Agustin "Gus" Velazquez was 5 years old, he was a Chicago White Sox fan. His dad instilled that love early when he went to his first Sox game at age three and started playing baseball at age four. His earliest memory of the team is of Carlos Quentin from the 2007 squad. But he'll never forget his time at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 1.

A sponsorship deal with the White Sox allowed Moraine Valley branding to be posted on the backstop behind the catcher, jumbotron, thin horizontal screens below the upper deck and T-shirt for the Summer Series giveaway for Hispanic Heritage Day. Moraine Valley also was able to have someone throw out the first ceremonial pitch of the game. That someone was Velazquez.

The sophomore Cyclone pitcher and his dad, both avid Sox fans, were on the field for the first pitch, living out a dream. Velazquez wore his Cyclones gear – a hat and open jersey over a White Sox shirt – while on the mound. Nerves kicked in, and some of it was a blur.

"When I found out I was throwing the first pitch, I was excited and really surprised. I never in a million years thought I'd have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox game and experience all that," Velazquez said. "Once I got on the field, I realized how big it was. I was extremely nervous. When I stepped on the mound, I went blank and just threw."

While on the field, Velazquez was able to meet former Cyclone baseball head coach and current White Sox pregame instructor, Mike Kashirsky, and mingle with the mascot, Southpaw, before winding up.

"My dad enjoyed every moment. That day was really cool, definitely an amazing experience," Velazquez said.