Cougars Cruise to Non-Conference Sweep Against Gray Wolves
SYLVANIA, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (19-7) traveled to Mercy Field on Tuesday, March 18, for a non-conference doubleheader against the Lourdes University Gray Wolves (0-13).
Game 1 Summary:
The MVNU Cougars wasted no time taking the lead in the top of the first inning, as Grant Wheeler's double brought in Alejandro Delgado and Grant Moore for a 2-0 advantage. Kaid Carpenter followed with a double of his own, driving in Wheeler and Brady Lester. Brennan Nichols then singled to plate Ryan Willoughby, and Moore capped off the explosive start with a single that scored Andrew Moffitt and Brandon Cokeley, giving MVNU a commanding 7-0 lead.
Lourdes plated a run in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit to 7-1. MVNU responded in the top of the third, adding two more runs one off a Moore double down the left-field line and then Moore scored later that inning on a wild pitch to go up 9-1. The Gray Wolves answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs, cutting MVNU's lead to 9-5. In the top of the sixth inning, Wheeler launched a solo home run to left field, Zackary Hoop delivered an RBI single to bring in Lester and Willoughby, Delgado followed with a single that plated Carter LaPata, and Hoop later crossed home on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 14-5. Each team tacked on a run in the later innings, but MVNU secured a 15-6 victory.
Grant Peters earned the win in game one. The pitcher allowed three hits and one run over four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven. Kaid Carpenter began the game for the Cougars.
Game 2 Summary:
Moore launched a home run in the top of the third, breaking the scoreless tie to take a 1-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Connor Estep's line drive to right field brought in Willoughby, followed by a sacrifice fly from Delgado that plated Estep, extending the lead to 3-0 with two runs in the inning. In the top of the fifth, Lester crushed a home run to center field, while Estep drove in Willoughby to extend the lead to 6-0. Tyler Ooten followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing in Carpenter. Delgado capped off the scoring with a triple, plating Estep to make it 8-0. Lourdes scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 8-1
Armando Gonzalez earned the win for the Cougars in game two. The right-handed pitcher surrendered four hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out three. Caden Conn appeared in relief for MVNU.
What's Next:
The Cougars kick off their four-game series against No.18 Taylor University Trojans on Friday, March 21, in a Crossroads League doubleheader in Upland, Indiana. Game one is set for a 3:00 p.m. start.
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.