Cougars Eliminate Defending Crossroads League Tournament Champions

HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Facing elimination from the Crossroads League Tournament, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougars (24-25) defeated the Crossroads League Regular Season Champions and 2022 Crossroads League Tournament Champions, No. 1 Taylor University (37-15) by a score of 5-3 on Friday, May 5.

MVNU Freshman Reese Willoughby was given the task of starting for the Cougars against their toughest opponent to date in the tournament. He delivered by striking out 10 Taylor batters through his six innings.

The Cougars got things started early with Casey Kalman driving in Rider Minnick with a double in the top of the first to make it 1-0. MVNU added to their lead after a Taylor error advanced Blaine Keener to second and scored Carter LaPata. Taking a 2-0 lead into the top of the third, the Cougars added another run through a Keener sacrifice fly that scored Kalman. They also brought two more across in the top of the fifth as Joe Poremsky drove in LaPata with a single to right and then scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. MVNU would hold on to a 5-0 lead until Taylor shortstop, Ben Kennedy, drove himself in with a solo homerun in the bottom of the fifth off Willoughby. The Trojans would follow that up with another solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth from left fielder, Brayden Manning.

Maxwell Donawa entered the game for the Cougars in the seventh inning looking to protect their 5-2 lead. He got out of a jam with a double play that ended the inning. The MVNU defense did not let up in the next frame, converting another momentum killing double play.

Cruz McFadden came on in the ninth to close out the win for the Cougars. He gave up solo shot to Manning, for his second on the day, but McFadden bounced back by finishing out the game and getting his 12th save of the year.

What's Next:

MVNU will play again tomorrow as they look to keep things rolling. They will play the University of Saint Francis in an elimination game. The first pitch is set for 2:30pm on Saturday, May 6.

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.