Cougars Prevail Against Banyans in Sunshine State
DAVENPORT, Fla. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (10-1) played a single game contest against a non-conference opponent from the Sun Conference, the New College of Florida Banyans (4-7), at North East Regional Park on Friday, February 28.
MVNU took an early lead in the second inning with a sacrifice fly from Alejandro Delgado, bringing in Brady Lester. Zackary Hoop followed with an RBI groundout, plating Connor Estep for a 2-0 advantage. The Cougars extended their lead in the fifth when Rider Minnick doubled to drive in Grant Moore, making it 3-0.
New College of Florida cut the deficit in the sixth, making it 3-1 Cougars, then added two more runs in the top of the seventh to even the score at 3-3. MVNU quickly answered in the bottom of the seventh as Moore launched a two-run homer, scoring Hoop. Lester then added a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 6-3.
The Banyans kept the pressure on in the eighth, narrowing the gap to 6-5 with a two-RBI single. However, MVNU responded once more, as Ryan Willoughby delivered an RBI single to left, securing the 7-5 win.
Chase Storr started on the mound, delivering a solid six-inning performance, allowing six hits, two runs (one earned), and striking out four. Caden Conn picked up the win, surrendering three with one strikeout. Grant Peters closed out the game effectively, tossing two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit while striking out two for the save.
What's Next:
The Cougars will take on another Sun Conference opponent, the Warner University Royals, in a doubleheader at Royals Field in Lake Wales, Fla., on Saturday, March 1. The first game is set for 1:00 p.m.
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.