Offense Carries Cougars to Sweep of Lancers

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (14-8, 10-2) completed the season sweep of Grace College (7-17, 1-11) on Tuesday, March 19.

MVNU rallied in game one and pulled off a big comeback against the Lancers. MVNU trailed 3-11 after the Lancers scored 11 runs in the third inning. MVNU scratched off a run in the fifth before the bats erupted for 10 runs in the sixth. Leading 13-11, the Cougars added another run in the eighth thanks to a sac-fly from Rider Minnick. The Cougars padded the lead even more with four runs in the ninth to secure the 19-13 win. MVNU had 23 hits and was led by Hogan Heck and Zackary Hoop who finished with five and four hits, respectively. Casey Kalman, Kaid Carpenter, and Johnny Nixon all hit home runs in game one. Ryan Willoughby got the win, pitching four innings of relief. Willoughby allowed just two hits and one run while also striking out four Lancers. Cruz McFadden picked up his third save of the season after pitching two innings and striking out three. McFadden allowed two hits and one run.

MVNU’s offense stayed hot in game two as it collected 13 more hits in the 15-5 win. Joe Poremsky led the offensive charge with a perfect three-for-three day at the plate with two home runs and eight RBI. Heck stayed hot as well, finishing three-for-three with an RBI. Maxwell Donawa was credited with the win after pitching five innings and striking out four. The junior gave up seven hits and four runs on the day.

What’s Next:

MVNU takes on No.21 Taylor University on Friday, March 22 in Upland, Indiana. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2:00pm.

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.