Baseball Sweeps Siena Heights

DAVENPORT, Fla. —  The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team improved to 13-2 after sweeping Siena Heights (1-6) on Monday, March 3 in the Sunshine State.

Game 1 Summary:

Siena Heights scored the first run of the game in the top of the sixth to take a 1-0 lead. Siena Heights' lead did not last for long as MVNU pushed across two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. Rider Minnick kept up his hot hitting in Florida, smashing a single to centerfield that scored Grant Wheeler and Zackary Hoop.

Caden Conn retired the side in the top of the seventh to secure the 2-1 victory for the Cougars. Conn was credited with the win after pitching two innings of relief. Conn allowed just two hits and one run while also striking out two. Jared Hurlburt had a strong start for MVNU as he pitched five shutout innings of baseball. Hurlburt struck out eight batters and allowed just two hits.

Game 2 Summary:

With the game scoreless through three innings, MVNU's offense heated up in the top of the fourth with four runs. Brandon Cokeley started the scoring with an RBI single that brought home Grant Moore. Kaid Carpenter then singled, bringing home Cokeley. Ryan Willoughby topped off the big inning with a two-run double to left field that scored Carpenter and Brady Lester. MVNU added an insurance run in the fifth thanks to a Moore RBI single that scored Wheeler. The Cougars would go on to win by a score of 5-0.

Jarin Bertke turned in a strong performance on the mound, pitching six scoreless innings. Bertke had four strikeouts and gave up just three hits. Chase Storr pitched one scoreless inning of relief and allowed just one hit to go with one strikeout.

What's Next:

MVNU will finish its Florida trip with a single game against Valley City State in Auburndale, Florida on Tuesday, March 4.

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.