Lady Cougars Outdone by No. 12 Wildcats

MARION, Ind. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (25-18, 18-16 CL) traveled to Marion, Indiana, for its final regular season Crossroads League doubleheader against No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan University (40-6, 30-4 CL) on Thursday, April 24.  

Game 1 Summary: 

The Lady Cougars got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Sydney Hoover doubled to left and later scored on a hit by Kiera Mayer. The Wildcats quickly answered in the bottom half, tying the game at 1-1. Indiana Wesleyan added two more runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead. Avery Miller narrowed the gap in the fourth with a solo shot to left field, her eighth home run of the season, bringing the Lady Cougars within one at 3-2.  

The Wildcats responded again in the bottom of the fourth, extending their lead back to two runs. The Lady Cougars fought to stay in it, pushing across one more run in the top of the sixth. However, they couldn't keep up with Indiana Wesleyan's offense. The Wildcats sealed the win in game one, finishing with a 6-3 victory. 

Game 2 Summary: 

MVNU got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning, scoring one run when Mollie Pentz singled to right field, bringing home Skylar Zimmerman for an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, IWU answered back with two runs to take a 2-1 lead.  

The Lady Cougars responded with a big top of the third, putting up six runs thanks to key singles from Pentz, Zhair Hill, and Zimmerman that helped bring runners across the plate. IWU wasn't done yet as it came back strong in the bottom of the third with five runs, tying the game at 7-7. MVNU's offense couldn't regain momentum, and IWU capitalized by scoring eight unanswered runs to seal a 15-7 victory in game two. 

What's Next: 

The Lady Cougars will return home to Cougar Field to take on Spring Arbor University on Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Head Coach Jeana Howald will be commemorated before the game for her dedication to MVNU and the Lady Cougar softball program. MVNU softball seniors will also be celebrated right after the second game.  

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.