Softball Walks Off Twice Against Huntington

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (9-4, 2-2 CL) played two nail biting games against conference opponent Huntington University (11-7, 0-4 CL) at the Cougar Softball Field on Friday, March 14.  

Game 1 Summary: 

The Foresters took the early lead in the top of the second inning, jumping on top of the Lady Cougars 1-0. MVNU tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the second, then tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, making the score 5-1. Huntington's bats started to come alive, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning, tying the score at 7-7. In the bottom of the seventh, Mollie Pentz singled to centerfield, then moved to second on an unassisted out at first by Brooklyn Krum.  

Dakota Staffan stepped up to the plate, worked the count to full, and belted her first homerun as a Lady Cougar to centerfield, walking off the game with a 9-7 victory over the Foresters. Maddelyn Wine earned the win in the circle, improving her record to 4-2. 

Game 2 Summary: 

The Lady Cougars came out swinging in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs from Avery Miller's single to right, Kiera Mayer's roped triple, and Pentz's single to center. Huntington responded with one run, making the score 1-3. Skylar Zimmerman singled to second, which scored Jesenia Montalvo, building MVNU's lead to 4-1 in the second inning. The Foresters' bats went on a hot streak, scoring six runs through the third, fourth, and fifth innings, which allowed them to take the lead over the Lady Cougars. MVNU scored in the bottom of the fifth with Sydney Hoover's single to center field that scored Pentz and Shanda Melick, making the score 7-6 Huntington.  

The bottom of the seventh started with Staffan's single to right, followed by Hoover's sacrifice bunt that moved her to second. Sydney Elliot singled to third, and Kylie Rohr reached first on a fielder's choice. Zimmerman then singled to the pitcher, scoring Ashtynn Roberts, which tied the score at 7-7. Miller came up to the plate with the bases loaded, worked the count, and walked off the game with a walk, scoring Montalvo. The Lady Cougars won by a score of 8-7, with Bailey Sheets earning the win in the circle. 

What's Next: 

The Lady Cougars will travel to their first away conference matchup at Marian University to play a doubleheader on Monday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 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.