Cougars Come Up Short After Walk-off Ends Tourney Run

HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougars (24-26) saw their run in the Crossroads League Tournament end after a ninth inning walk-off by the University of Saint Francis (29-24) by a score of 3-2 on Saturday, May 6.

MVNU freshman Johnny Nixon put in a solid effort for the Cougars. The right hander pitched seven innings, only giving up two runs with four strikeouts.

Saint Francis got out to an early lead after first baseman, Sam Pesa, drove in shortstop, Jayden Lepper, with a single in the bottom of the first. MVNU responded quickly with a sacrifice fly from Damien Kandel scoring Joe Poremsky in the top of the second. In the next frame MVNU freshman, Ty Williams, drove himself in with a solo homerun to right giving MVNU a brief 2-1 lead.

Saint Francis followed that up with a solo homerun of their own in the bottom of the third from right fielder, David Miller. The score between the two teams would remain 2-2 until the bottom of the ninth.

Maxwell Donawa came on in relief in the bottom of the eighth and kept the game tied. After loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth, Saint Francis got a clutch hit from third baseman, Gavin Noble, to win the game 3-2 with a walk-off.

MVNU ends their season with an overall record of 24-26.

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.