Baseball Powers Past Valley City State

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (8-3) defeated Valley City State (6-6) on Monday, March 2 in Melbourne, Florida.

MVNU got off to a slow start in the nine-inning game, falling behind 0-2 after the first inning. Tyler Ooten put MVNU on the board in the top of the second with his RBI double to right field that scored Kaid Carpenter. MVNU tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth after an Andrew Hobbs RBI double that pushed Ooten across the plate. A three-run bottom of the fifth put VCS up 5-2. MVNU rallied in the sixth, scoring five runs. MVNU scored on a bases loaded walk, an RBI single by Brennen Nichols, and tied the game after a hit by pitch with the bases loaded. MVNU took its first lead of the day when Jack Schreck scored from third after a fielder's choice. Carter LaPata capped off the big fifth inning with an RBI single that scored Kevin Inman. MVNU now had the lead and never planned on giving it back. The Cougars added four more runs, winning by a final score of 11-5 for their eighth win of the season.

Lapata led MVNU with two hits and three RBI, while Ooten had two hits and two RBI. Ryan Willoughby got the win on the mound, pitching six innings. Caden Conn pitching the remaining three, giving up just two hits and no runs. Conn had two strikeouts.

What's Next

MVNU concludes its trip to Florida with games against the University of Fort Lauderdale and Mount Marty. First pitch times are set for 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 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.