Lady Cougar Softball Finishes Florida Trip with Two Wins
MELBOURNE, Fla.– The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (8-4, 1-1 CL) closed its Florida Spring Break trip at the USSSA Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida with two more wins against Bellevue University (5-9) and Trinity Christian College (3-7) on Monday, March 9.
In the first game, Bellevue struck first in the top of the second inning, taking a 1–0 lead over the Lady Cougars. The Bruins extended their advantage in the top of the third, pushing the score to 6–0.
MVNU responded in the bottom of the third inning with three runs. Brooklyn Krum led off with a single to right field, followed by Zhari Hill, who singled to shortstop to put runners on the corners. Skylar Zimmerman then drove in Krum, moving Hill to second and bringing Dakota Staffan to the plate. Staffan delivered her third home run of the season with a deep shot over the center field fence, cutting the deficit to 6–3.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Krum, Jesenia Montalvo, and Hill loaded the bases. Zimmerman drew a walk to bring home Krum, narrowing the score to 6–4.
The Lady Cougars continued their rally in the bottom of the sixth. Krum singled, and Montalvo followed with a bunt single to put two runners on. Zimmerman then found a gap in center field with a single that drove in two runs, tying the game at 6–6. Bellevue regained the lead in the top of the seventh, scoring one run to make it 7–6.
In the bottom of the seventh, Avery Miller started the inning with a single to right field before giving way to pinch runner Taryn Craven. Kiera Mayer then hit a fly ball to center field that was dropped, allowing Craven to advance to third. Camden Laymond followed with a single that scored Craven and loaded the bases.
With the score tied 7–7, Krum stepped to the plate. On a 2–2 count, Krum lined a single to right field, bringing home the winning run and giving the Lady Cougars a walk-off 8–7 victory. Makenzie Delaney started the game in the circle before Bailey Sheets entered the third inning. Sheets earned her third win of the season, recording two strikeouts and allowing only two runs.
In the second game, MVNU struck early in the first inning as Hill and Zimmerman each roped doubles to center field to bring in the first run. Mayer then stepped up with a 1–1 count and drove a deep ball to center field, clearing the bases and scoring three runs to give the Lady Cougars a 4–0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Lady Cougars added four more runs to seal the game with a final score of 8–0. Mayer started the rally with a single to left field, followed by a single to shortstop from Sheets to put two runners on base. Krum then drove in a run and moved the runner into scoring position. Montalvo singled to shortstop to load the bases before Hill and Zimmerman each delivered singles to score three more runs. The Trolls were unable to answer in the bottom of the fifth inning, securing the Lady Cougars' victory.
Staffan picked up her fourth win in the circle, recording four strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
What's Next
The Lady Cougars will be traveling to Upland, Indiana to take on Taylor University in a Crossroads League doubleheader on Friday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 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.