Nixon Walk-off Keeps Season Alive for MVNU Against Grace

UPLAND, Ind. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team competed in the Crossroads League Baseball Tournament play-in round on Wednesday, May 1, hosted by Taylor University.

Fifth-seeded MVNU took on No.8 Grace College to keep its season alive and qualify for bracket play. MVNU was trailing 4-7 heading into the bottom of the eighth but found some postseason magic to escape defeat. MVNU scored three runs in the inning to tie the ballgame. Brady Lester continued his superb freshman campaign with a two-run homer, and Joe Poremsky later hit a solo shot to right field to knot the score at seven apiece. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Johnny Nixon hit a walk-off single, scoring Carter LaPata. MVNU claimed victory by a final score of 8-7.

Logan Fox got the start and pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out four. Cruz McFadden came in for Maxwell Donawa after two innings of work and pitched two innings himself to complete the game and grab the win. McFadden gave up two hits, no runs, and had two strikeouts.

MVNU will play No.2 Indiana Wesleyan on Thursday, May 2. First pitch in Upland, Indiana is set for 11:00am.

Coverage links and additional tournament information can be viewed HERE.

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 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.