Baseball Completes Series Sweep Over Goshen

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (24-22, 13-19 CL) hosted the Goshen College Maple Leafs (5-39, 4-28 CL) on Monday, April 20 at Cougar Field. 

In game one, the Cougars took a quick start after taking a 6-0 run lead in the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the fourth inning, a sacrifice fly by Brady Lester scored Carter LaPata, starting another six-run inning, making MVNU's lead 12-3. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ryan Willougby homered to left field, scoring himself and Lester, putting MVNU up 14-3. Andrew Hobbs, in the bottom of the sixth inning, came in to pinch run for Jack Schreck, who doubled to center field. Hobbs was then able to score after advancing on a wild pitch. Also, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kevin Inman walked and would later score along with Tyler Ooten after Rider Minnick hit a double to right field, putting MVNU up 17-3. Goshen was able to score four runs in the top of the seventh inning, but that would not be enough, as the run-rule was in effect, leading to MVNU's victory of 17-7.  

Willoughby led MVNU's offense, scoring three runs, having four hits, and three RBI. Lester had two runs, two hits, and two RBI. Brennen Nichols and Inman each had three RBI. Armando Gonzalez took the win on the mound for the Cougars, moving to 3-3. Gonzalez finished with six strikeouts. Jakob Coxen and Louis Erwin came in for relief, pitching one strikeout each.  

In game two, Goshen took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Cougars responded in the bottom of the first inning, after LaPata scored on a wild pitch. LaPata would score again on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third inning, tying the game 2-2. The Cougars would take the lead after Hobbs singled to right field, scoring pinch runner Maxwell Kilzer. LaPata's single would then allow Hobbs to score after a Goshen error and Ooten advance to third base. Ooten would then score after another wild pitch, putting MVNU up 5-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Hobbs would hit a sacrifice fly to center field to allow Kaid Carpenter to score 6-2. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Willoughby hit his second homerun of the day to left field, scoring Lester and Minick who were on base. Immediately after, Carpenter hit a homerun to left field as well. At bat, Nichols walked, then stole second base, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. During Hobbs' at-bat, he scored Nichols with a single to center field, securing MVNU's win of 11-2.  

LaPata and Carpenter each had two runs, two hits, and one RBI. Willougby and Hobbs each had three RBI. Nichols, Kilzer, and Hobbs each had one stolen base. On the mound, Willoughby pitched all seven innings and took the win, advancing to 4-1, after pitching 12 strikeouts.  

What's Next 

MVNU will next travel to Huntington University for double header games on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 for its final series of the regular season. The first game on Thursday will start at 3:30 p.m. with the second game to follow at 6:30 p.m. 

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.