Cougars Use Big Third Inning to Win at Kenyon

GAMBIER, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (20-22) traveled to Kenyon College (11-17) for a nonconference match up on Tuesday, April 14.  

The Cougars were the first to get on the board during the top of the third inning. Tyler Ooten led off in the inning, getting on base with a bunted single. Andrew Moffitt advanced Ooten and got on base with a bunt single of his own. Carter LaPata's double, scored Ooten and advanced Moffitt. Rider Minnick followed with a double, scoring Moffitt and LaPata bringing the Cougars to 3-0. Minnick would then score after a single from Ryan Willoughby, who would score off a double from Kaid Carpenter, putting MVNU up 5-0. 

MVNU held Kenyon to no runs until the bottom of the eighth inning where Kenyon scored one run after a sacrifice fly to center field. The Cougars would come back to answer at the top of the ninth inning. After LaPata walked, Minnick hit a home run, scoring LaPata as well and extending the lead to 7-1. Kenyon would score one final run in the bottom of the ninth, bringing the final score to 7-2 with the Cougars taking the win. 

Minnick led the Cougars offensively, having one homerun, two runs, two hits, and four RBI. MVNU had a combined ten hits, seven RBI, and finished with no errors. Tyler Barton took the win on the mound after pitching seven innings and two strikeouts, moving to 2-1 for the season. Louis Erwin came in for relief, pitching the last two innings and had one strikeout.  

What's Next 

MVNU next will host Goshen College on Friday, April 17 for a doubleheader with games starting at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at Cougar Field.  

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.