Cougars Take Both Games in Series Opener Against Lancers
WINONA LAKE, Ind. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (16-6, 6-4 CL) hit the road to face the Grace College Lancers (5-12, 0-8 CL) in a four-game Crossroads League series starting on Friday, March 14, at Tom Roy - UPI Park.
Game 1 Summary:
Brady Lester started things with a two-run homer in the top of the first, bringing in Rider Minnick. Grace answered with a run in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 2-1. In the top of the third, Brandon Cokeley extended MVNU's lead with a solo shot to left, making it 3-2. MVNU extended its lead with a five-run surge in the top of the third, fueled by home runs from Lestor and Kaid Carpenter, pushing the advantage to 7-1. Lester's second blast brought in Rider Minnick and Grant Moore, while Carpenter's solo shot soared over the left-field fence.
Grant Wheeler joined the home run party with a solo shot to center in the fourth inning, extending MVNU's lead to 9-1. Shortly after, Cokeley drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing in Lester to push the score to 10-1. Grace scored in the fourth, fifth, and eighth innings, putting up a fight against MVNU. However, MVNU secured a 10-8 victory in Game 1.
Ryan Willoughby secured the win for MVNU, allowing seven hits and seven runs over 4.2 innings while striking out nine. Max Donawa earned the save in relief, pitching 4.1 innings and surrendering three hits and one run while recording one strikeout.
Game 2 Summary:
In the top of the second inning of game two, Carpenter launched his second home run of the day to left field, driving in Lester and Willoughby to give MVNU a 3-0 lead. The Cougars extended their advantage to 6-0 in the third, as Lester tripled to center to bring home Moore, Carpenter grounded out to score Lester, and Willoughby scored on an error from the Grace catcher.
In the top of the fourth, Lester crushed his third home run of the day, sending it over the left-field wall to bring in Wheeler and Zackary Hoop, extending MVNU's lead to 9-0. Grace responded in the bottom half, plating four runs to cut the deficit to 9-4, but MVNU remained in control. MVNU scored in the top of the fifth from a SAC fly from Wheeler to bring home Cokeley to go up 10-4. Brennen Nichols blasted a solo home run in the top of the seventh, extending MVNU's lead to 11-4. The Cougars added their final run when Willoughby drew a walk, bringing Carter LaPata home in the top of the seventh inning. Grace scored in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 12-5, and that ended up being the final score.
Jared Hurlburt earned the win for MVNU. The starter gave up four hits and four runs (two earned) over six innings, striking out three.
What's Next:
The Cougars will wrap up their four-game series against the Grace College Lancers on Saturday, March 15, with another Crossroads League doubleheader in Winona Lake, Indiana. Game one is set to start at 10:00 a.m.
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 2,100 students from 33 states and 26 foreign countries.