Dominant Pitching Lifts Cougars to Sweep of Fort Lauderdale

VIERA, Fla. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (6-3) swept the University of Fort Lauderdale (10-13) in the RussMatt Games on Tuesday, March 6.

Hunter Billman continued his hot start to the season in game one for MVNU. Billman got the Cougars on the board in the top of the first with a double to rightfield that scored Hogan Heck. MVNU extended its lead in the inning with RBI's from Rider Minnick and Blaine Keener.

The 3-0 lead ended up being all the runs MVNU needed as it went on to win the game by a final of 3-2. Cruz McFadden picked up his third save of the season as he struck out all three batters that he faced. Jarin Bertke put together a great start for the Cougars. The sophomore pitched five innings, allowing eight hits and one earned run. Bertke had four strikeouts.

MVNU only needed two runs to win the second game of its doubleheader, and it got them thanks to Brady Wallace, who batted in a run in the third and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth. The MVNU pitching staff imposed its will on Fort Lauderdale. Logan Fox struck out two in one-inning of work. Josh Pettit pitched three innings on shutout baseball, striking out two and allowing zero hits. Pettit was credited with the win for MVNU. Freshman, Johnny Nixon stuck out three in his two innings of work, allowing two hits and no runs. McFadden pick up his second save of the day and fourth of the season in the seventh.

What's Next

MVNU wraps up its Florida trip against Judson at 4:45pm on Tuesday, March 6.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.