Coach Howald Reaches 700 Wins, Lady Cougars Take Two from Judson

LEESBURG, Fla. – The (RV) Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (4-0, 0-0 CL) defeated Judson University (0-2, 0-0) in both games of its doubleheader on Friday, March 3.

The Cougars took the first game by a score of 8-0. The 9-0 win in game two marked head coach Jeana Howald's 700th career win. Howald is in her 34th season as the head coach of MVNU and holds a career record of 700-612-1. Howald, who was named as the 2021 Crossroads League Softball Coach of the Year, led MVNU to a program record 37 wins last season. Over the past two seasons, the Lady Cougars have a combined record of 65-26, which is good for a winning percentage of 71.4%.

Macee Marcum was the starting pitcher in game one and went the distance as the senior pitched 6.0 shutout innings, allowing six hits and striking out six. Marcum helped her own cause at the plate as she went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run. Kylee Pettit was 1-for-3 and scored three runs. Mallory Shoup also had a nice game and was 3-for-3 in game one. The Lady Cougars scored in every inning but the fifth to control the game and secure the win.

In game two, it was much of the same for Howald's team. MVNU got one run on the board in the top of the first, and tacked on three more in each of the third and fifth innings before they scored two in the sixth. Pettit was 3-for-3 at the dish and scored three more runs in game two. Marcum also had a nice game in game two as she went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Paige Ogden hit a three-run homerun in the top of the fifth for her first collegiate career homerun. Molly Pentz also had three RBI on the day as she went 2-for-3 with two runs. Sheridan Sullivan had a nice game in the pitcher's circle as she went 6.0 innings and gave up just one hit. She struck out 10 batters.

What's Next

The Lady Cougars are next in action on Saturday, March 4 as they play Judson again at 9:00am in Leesburg. MVNU will play a second game against Penn State-Greater Alleghany at 11:30am.

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 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.