OBERLIN, Ohio - After countries all over the world recognize Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, Oberlin College softball will display their support for autism awareness as they wear blue and hope to light up the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in the 2016 home opener.

Today, April 2, marks World Autism Awareness Day, with a goal to raise global awareness of autism spectrum disorder, which affects 1 in 68 children in the United States alone.

Autism Speaks' Light it Up Blue campaign is in it's seventh year and set record-breaking marks for participation in 2016. In support of Austism Speaks' Light It Up Blue, Oberlin College softball will shed their usual Crimson and Gold uniforms and sport light blue jerseys as they take on Defiance on Sunday.

"We are excited to host the first ever Light it Up Blue game to help raise money and awareness for Autism and the organization Autism Speaks," said first-year head coach Sara Schoenhoft. "Autism is a disorder that affects so many families and it's important to help support a great organization like Autism Speaks. Light it Up Blue day is celebrated worldwide to raise awareness and money and I'm excited that Oberlin softball will be part of an amazing cause."

Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization and its Light It Up Blue campaign marks the start of Autism Awareness Month in April. Since the United Nations adopted World Autism Awareness Day in 2007 the focus has been on autism as a global health issue and to support, empower and enhance the well-being of people on the autism spectrum and their families. The goal is to increase knowledge about autism spectrum disorder and the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention.

The Yeowomen will be taking donations throughout tomorrow's non-conference doubleheader and all proceeds with be donated to Autism Speaks. Oberlin softball will also be selling Light It Up Blue t-shirts for $10 to helped raise autism awareness.

Supporters can also make online donations directly to the Autism Speaks Foudation at their website: Autism Speaks.org. Make a difference and your donation today!

Wear blue, dress warm and come support Oberlin softball as they take on the Yellow Jackets at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.