Cougars Kick Off Florida Trip with Back-to-Back Wins Over Pilots
DAVENPORT, Fla. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (7-0, 2-0 CL) kicked off its spring season in Florida, beginning Crossroads League play against the Bethel University Pilots (3-3, 0-2 CL) on Tuesday, February 25, with a doubleheader at North East Regional Park Field.
Game 1 Summary:
It was an explosive first inning for both teams as each put runs on the board. Rider Minnick drove in Grant Wheeler with an RBI single for the game's first run. Brady Lester then singled, driving in Grant Moore and Minnick to give MVNU a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Bethel responded with four runs, taking a 4-3 advantage into the second.
With the bases loaded in the top of the second, Minnick stayed hot, hitting a double that cleared the bases to give MVNU a 6-4 lead. Bethel answered in the bottom of the frame, scoring two more runs to knot the ballgame up at 6-6.
A big fifth inning for MVNU shifted momentum in its favor. Alejandro Delgado singled, driving in Connor Estep. At the next at-bat, Wheeler singled to center field, scoring Carter LaPata and Delgado to give MVNU a 9-6 lead. While Bethel added a run in the seventh, MVNU got it right back in the top of the eighth thanks to a Minnick homerun. Bethel threatened in the bottom of the ninth with two runs but could not push across the game-tying score. MVNU would take game one of the series by a final of 10-9. Maxwell Donawa was the winning pitcher on the mound for MVNU after seven strong innings of relief. The righty allowed four hits and three earned runs while striking out eight and only walking one batter.
Game 2 Summary:
MVNU's offense stayed hot in game two against the Pilots. The Cougars put four runs on the board in the top of the second. Brennen Nichols doubled, driving in Lester and Estep. Wheeler would then double to right field, scoring LaPata and Zackary Hoop to put MVNU up 4-0. Hoop crossed home plate again in the fifth after Minnick's RBI groundout to short.
With a 5-0 lead, MVNU put the game away for good in the sixth. A bases-loaded walk scored Wheeler. In the next at-bat, Estep cleared the bases with a double that scored Moore, Kaid Carpenter, and Lester. Estep then scored after an RBI single from Nichols. The five-run inning helped MVNU cruise to a 10-0 game two win.
Jared Hurlburt got the start on the mound, pitching six innings. The junior allowed four hits and zero earned runs while striking out five Pilots. Armando Gonzalez pitched a perfect inning of relief for MVNU.
What's Next:
The Cougars will face the Bethel University Pilots once more to conclude Crossroads League play during their Florida trip on Wednesday, February 26. The doubleheader at North East Regional Park Field in Davenport, Florida, begins with game one at 12:30 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.