Cougars Score Season-High 21 Runs on Windy Day vs. Lancers

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (12-7, 6-4 CL) had its home opener against Grace College (10-12, 2-7 CL) on Friday, March 13.

MVNU started the doubleheader strong, fighting through extreme gusts of wind on the field. MVNU scored a season-high 21 runs off 14 hits. The Cougars gave the Lancers no chance, scoring four runs in each of the first two innings and would lead 8-2 early. Grace scored three runs in the fifth to cut MVNU's lead to 11-5, but the Cougars answered with six runs in the bottom half, putting them up 17-5. MVNU added four more runs in the sixth and would go on to win 21-6 in seven innings. Ryan Willoughby went two-for-five at the plate with a home run and three RBI. Carter LaPata, Rider Minnick, and Brady Lester each had big performances as they all batted in four runs apiece. Jared Hurlburt got his third consecutive win on the mound for MVNU. Hurlburt battled with tough weather conditions in his 5.1 innings of work but still managed to strike out seven batters. Grant Peters pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings of relief, allowing no hits with one strikeout.

In game two, the Lancers used the wind to their advantage this time, scoring four runs each in the first and second innings. MVNU scored four runs as well in the first inning, but Grace had an answer. After the Lancers hit a three-run homer in the first, they also clobbered a two-run bomb in the second inning to regain momentum. Trailing 4-8 in the fourth, Minnick scored from third after a wild pitch. In the bottom of the seventh, Brennen Nichols scored after a wild pitch to cut the deficit to two. Minnick singled later in the inning, bringing home Alejandro Delgado, making the score 7-8 with the Lancers still in front. MVNU had the tying run on third and the winning run on second with two outs, but it was unable to move either of them, resulting in a 7-8 loss in game two. Peters was excellent in relief, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing just one hit.

What's Next

MVNU wraps up its four-game series with the Lancers on Saturday, March 14. The doubleheader at Cougar Field is set to 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.