Cougars Close Regular Season with Senior Day Series Win Over Foresters

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. —  The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (33-17, 21-15 CL) closed its final regular season home series on Saturday, April 26, taking on the Huntington University Foresters (24-24, 18-18 CL).

MVNU baseball seniors Jackson Moore, Jarin Bertke, Maxwell Donawa, and Zackary Hoop were recognized during the intermission after the first game for their hard work and unwavering commitment to the program.

Game 1 Summary:

Huntington struck first with a groundout that brought in an unearned run, but MVNU immediately responded with a double to tie the game from Rider Minnick. The Cougars never looked back after that tie. A defensive error allowed another run to cross, giving MVNU the lead, and a triple from Kaid Carpenter to center quickly extended the advantage to 3-1.

In the second inning, MVNU's offense exploded with a triple from Grant Wheeler, and singles from Grant Moore and Ryan Willoughby that scored runs to put the Cougars up 6-1. Carpenter reached first on an error by the third baseman, scoring another run to put the team up 7-1.

A sacrifice fly from Alejandro Delgado in the fifth made it 8-1. MVNU broke the game wide open in the sixth, highlighted by a three-run homer from Minnick, a solo shot to right from Brady Lester, and a two-run blast to center from Carpenter, capping a dominant 14-1 victory.

The senior, Bertke, delivered an outstanding performance on the mound, pitching all seven innings to secure the win and improve his record to 8-1. He allowed just three hits and one unearned run while issuing no walks and striking out nine batters.

Game 2 Summary:

Huntington took an early lead in the first inning with a sacrifice fly to center field that brought in the game's opening run.

In the third inning, a single to center added another run. The fourth inning saw Huntington extend its advantage with a single to second base, which resulted in a run and additional scoring after a defensive error by MVNU to go up 4-0. The Cougars' lone hit and run happened in the bottom of the fourth on a double from Minnick to right field. MVNU fell by a final score of 4-1 in the final game of the regular season.

What's Next:

MVNU baseball is set to begin postseason play in the Crossroads League Tournament, hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University from April 30 to May 5. Tournament pairings and times are TBD.

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.