Walk-offs by USF Leads to Downfall for MVNU
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (9-11, 2-8 CL) traveled to face the University of Saint Francis (9-5, 5-1 CL) on Friday, March 20.
In game one, MVNU started out hot by scoring three runs at the top of the first inning. After being hit by a pitch, Jesenia Montalvo advanced to second by Skylar Zimmerman's single that left two runners on base for Dakota Staffan. Staffan hit her fifth home run of the season to give MVNU the early 3-0 lead. In the top of the third inning, Staffan got on base with a walk. Avery Miller, with two outs, hit a home run to extend MVNU's lead 5-0.
USF responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring one run from a sacrifice fly, but MVNU still hung onto the 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, USF came back from behind, scoring four runs to tie the game 5-5, forcing an extra inning. USF got a runner on from a walk, who was then moved into scoring position after a ground ball to second base. USF secured the win off a single, which brought the runner to give USF the 6-5 win in the first game.
In the second game in the top of the first, Zimmerman and Staffan both hit singles to give MVNU two runners on base. Miller followed with another single, allowing Zimmerman to score and moving Staffan to third base. Makenzie Delaney hit a single that scored Staffan, giving MVNU a 2-0 lead. USF responded with one run from a home run at the bottom of the first, but MVNU held onto the 2-1 lead. In the top of the third, Zimmerman got a double, making her second hit of the game. Zimmerman was moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored off a sacrifice fly from Staffen, extending MVNU's lead to 3-1. Staffan put MVNU up 4-1 in the fourth inning with her RBI double that scored Zimmerman.
USF scored two runs in the sixth and tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh after an RBI triple brought home the game tying run. Like in game one, USF won in the bottom of the seventh with another walk-off single, handing MVNU a 4-5 loss.
What's Next
MVNU will have its home opener at Cougar Field against the Goshen College Maple Leafs on Saturday, March 21. The first pitch will start at 1:00 p.m. with the second game to follow.
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.