Cokeley’s Walk-Off Homer Pushes MVNU to Game One Victory over SAU

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (23-11 11-9 CL) concluded its series with Spring Arbor University (17-15, 9-11 CL) on Saturday, March 29 at the Cougar Baseball Field.

Game 1 Summary:

Trailing 4-5 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, an error at third base allowed Ryan Willoughby to reach first, bringing home Brady Lester from second to tie the game at 5-5 to force extra innings. Grant Peters did his job in the top of the tenth, holding Spring Arbor scoreless. In the bottom of the inning, Brandon Cokeley stepped to the plate with one out. Cokeley blasted a homer to left field, giving MVNU the walk-off win by a final score of 6-5.

Peters was credited with the win on the mound after going two innings and allowing two hits and one run with one strikeout. Austin Fox put together a strong start for MVNU, pitching seven innings. Fox gave up seven hits and two earned runs. He had six strikeouts.

Game 2 Summary:

Spring Arbor started strong, scoring four runs in the top of the second to go up 4-0. After scoring a run in the bottom of the second and third innings, MVNU tied the game in the sixth. Alejandro Delgado scored Lester on a sac fly to right field and Connor Estep scored after a wild pitch to knot the ballgame at 4-4. SAU reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth, plating two runs to go up 6-4. MVNU could not spark a comeback in the bottom of the inning and went on to lose 4-6.

What's Next:

MVNU will play at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, April 4. The first pitch is set for 2:00 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.