Day One Sweep of Foresters Kicks Off Cougars' Final Home Series
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (32-16, 20-14 CL) opened its final home series of the regular season on Thursday, April 24, taking on Huntington University (23-23, 17-17 CL).
Game 1 Summary:
MVNU jumped ahead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue that allowed two unearned runs to score and put another runner on third. A wild pitch brought in another run, followed by a single from Grant Wheeler to left that plated an additional unearned run, giving MVNU a 4-0 lead.
Huntington responded in the fifth with two solo home runs, cutting the deficit in half. In the sixth, a two-run homer tied the game at 4-4.
MVNU regained control in the eighth, taking advantage of another error that allowed the go-ahead run to score. A single to left from Connor Estep, a double to center from Wheeler, and a base hit up the middle from Rider Minnick brought in three more runs, extending the lead to 8-4. Huntington added a solo homer in the ninth, but MVNU held on for the 8-5 win.
Reese Willoughby got the start and pitched six innings with six strikeouts, allowing four earned runs. Maxwell Donawa earned the win in relief, tossing three innings while allowing just one hit, one run (earned), walking one, and striking out three.
Game 2 Summary:
Huntington struck first in the opening inning with a groundout to the pitcher that brought in a run. MVNU quickly responded in the bottom half with a solo home run from Wheeler to center field to even the score.
The Cougars then surged ahead as a two-RBI single from Ryan Willoughby to right field gave them a 3-1 lead, followed by another RBI single from Kaid Carpenter that extended the advantage to 4-1.
In the sixth, Huntington trimmed the deficit with an RBI single to center. MVNU answered right back in its half of the inning with a run-scoring single from Willoughby to center, and added another when a runner stole third and scored on an error by the catcher, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Jared Hurlburt delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 7.0 innings while allowing just four hits and two earned runs. He issued only one walk and struck out seven batters.
What's Next:
The Cougars will wrap up their regular season on Saturday, April 26, by hosting Huntington University for their final home doubleheader, which will also serve as Senior Day. Game one is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.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.