Haliey Welch, also known as “Hawk Tuah Girl,” has commented on the reactions of the “baseball community” following her appearance for the New York Mets.

The viral star was the team’s special guest on Thursday, throwing out the first pitch before their game against the Oakland Athletics.

After the decision to give her a leading role at Citi Field was inundated with criticism, she now spoke out on social media.

In an interview with her 2.3 million Instagram followers on Friday, the 22-year-old explained the “main reason” why she took up this opportunity.

Welch revealed she wanted to raise awareness about the nonprofit organization America’s VetDogs. In a video, she met a service dog named Buddy and learned that the organization assigns such dogs to first responders and veterans with disabilities.

She wrote: “I guess the baseball community wasn’t too happy to see me yesterday.

“That’s okay, the main reason I went to the game was to raise awareness and donate to America’s Vet Dogs @americasvetdogs who match dogs with war veterans to give them permanent homes.”

Welch added: “Join me in donating to this amazing charity. I’ll post the link on my story. I miss you already, buddy.”

Asked by Newsweek Regarding the reaction to her performance, Welch said, “We went to a baseball game yesterday to do good and raise more awareness for helping veterans and animals.”

“I also got to throw out the first pitch, but ultimately it’s about helping people and pets. And that’s what I want to focus on and continue to do.”

Her Instagram update has so far garnered her over 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments from supporters after she was thrust into the spotlight by a now infamous video in which she answered a question from Tim & Dee TV – two YouTubers who conduct street interviews – about her sex life.

One Instagram user wrote of her appearance at the Mets: “Gotta love Miss Welch for using her platform for important causes like this!”

Another said: “Nah, don’t let those haters get you down – they hate someone for no reason. Do what you want – it’s cool. Best wishes.”

A third person added: “Some people focus too much on what brought you here. This is just a silly little joke. We needed this distraction! Don’t let ‘them’ spoil your mood.”

Social media users had previously described Welch, a native of Tennessee, as inappropriate and criticized the Mets for their choice.

Alongside a clip of the moment in question, Chris Jastrzembski wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Hope they stay winless the rest of the season.”

Author Paul Schwartz said: “We have 120 Olympic medalists and you chose them? Seriously?”

A third X user wrote, “So the @Mets decided to have the Hawk Tuah Girl throw out the first pitch for a summer camp day game where the vast majority of fans are 11 year old kids who are at the stadium on camp trips. Seriously, what were they thinking? This better be better. #LGM.”

Another said, “All the kids at baseball games ask their parents and friends what that girl did to get the right to throw out the first pitch? Do better, MLB! That’s not a role model!”

Newsweek has emailed the New York Mets for comment.