Baseball Splits Fall Ball Doubleheader with Ohio Christian

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (1-1) played a fall ball doubleheader at Cougar Field against Ohio Christian University (1-1) on Saturday, October 11.

Ohio Christian exploded for four runs in the top of the first inning, taking control early. MVNU began to find some footing in the bottom third, platting three runs to cut into the Trail Blazer lead. Alejandro Delgado hit a solo blast for MVNU's first run, Ryan Willoughby hit an RBI single that scored Rider Minnick, and Connor Estep drove in Willoughby from third thanks to a sac-fly to right. In the fifth, Peyton Simmons tied the game at 4-4 after a sac-fly to left field that scored Brady Lester.

Ohio Christian answered MVNU's rally with a surge of its own, pushing five unanswered runs across home plate to take complete control of the game. MVNU tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh after an RBI double from Delgado but fell by a score of 5-9 in the first game of the series.

MVNU responded in game two of the doubleheader with an 8-2 victory. Reese Willoughby pitched a gem, throwing six scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits and had eight strikeouts. The Cougars collected eight hits in the win and were led by Kaid Carpenter who was 2-3 at the plate with two RBI's. Minnick and Brennen Nichols each drove in two runs apiece as well.

MVNU concludes its fall ball season with the doubleheader and will gear up for the start of the spring season on February 27 against Bethel University in Melbourne, Florida.

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.