Baseball Closes Series at Saint Francis with Pair of Walk-Off Losses

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (11-6, 5-3 CL) finished its series with the University of Saint Francis (4-16, 2-6 CL) on Monday, March 9.

MVNU took the first two games of the series on Friday, March 6 by scores of 6-2 and 16-6. The story was different for MVNU on Monday, however, as the Cougars of USF took the final two games of the series.

In the first game of the day, MVNU got on the board first with a solo home run from Jack Schreck in the top of the second. USF responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead. MVNU tied the game in the top of the fourth inning after Carter LaPata drove in Tyler Ooten and Schreck with his single to center field. MVNU took a 5-3 lead in the seventh when LaPata and Rider Minnick each drew walks with the bases loaded. Saint Francis responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice to tie the game at five. In the bottom of the ninth, a single to left brought home the game winning run for USF. MVNU fell by a final of 5-6.

In the series finale, MVNU once again scored first. Schreck's double to right in the first inning scored Brady Lester, giving MVNU a 1-0 lead. USF tied the game with a homer in the bottom of the frame, but Brennen Nichols responded with a deep ball of his own, a two-run shot, in the third inning to put MVNU up 3-1. USF brought home two runs in the bottom of the inning, tying the game 3-3. In the fifth, MVNU took a two-run lead after Kaid Carpenter drove Lester home with his double to left field. Carpenter later scored on a wild pitch to put MVNU up 5-3. In the bottom seventh, USF loaded the bases. Just like the first game of the day, USF would walk it off, this time with a grand slam to right center. MVNU dropped the game by a final score of 5-7.

What's Next

MVNU will play its first home series of the season at Cougar Field against the Grace College Lancers on March 13-14. First pitch on Friday is set for 1:00 p.m. and Saturday's doubleheader will begin at noon.

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.