News

The Mount Vernon Nazarene College baseball team has made a key addition to its roster for the 2003 season with the signing of Kyle Peters to join the squad.

Peters, a shortstop/pitcher from Mason, Ohio, put together an outstanding senior season at the plate, on the mound, and in the field for Mason High School. He posted a .435 batting average (which was second in the area) with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, 22 runs batted in, and an area-best 35 runs scored. He also stole 14 bases and committed just eight errors in 196 fielding chances for a .957 fielding percentage. On the mound, he led the area in wins as he went 6-3 with an area-leading 1.15 earned run average to go along with an area-best 89 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings.

For his efforts, Peters was named to the Fort Ancient Valley First Team, the Cincinnati Enquirer All-City First Team, the Western Star All-Area First Team and Defensive Player of the Year, and the Most Valuable Player of his team. He was also selected to play in the Southwest Ohio East-West All-Star Game.

For his four-year varsity career, Peters posted a .373 batting average with 12 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 55 RBI, and a school-record 83 runs scored in 83 games. He also went 9-6 on the mound with two saves, a 1.64 ERA, and 164 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings.

"Kyle is a critical recruit for us," said MVNC head coach Keith Veale. "We were looking for someone to come in and compete in the middle of our infield. With his high school credentials, we feel that he can do that and make contributions right away. In Kyle, we are not only getting a solid baseball player, but a quality athlete. He has the skills to play anywhere on the field. For us, he will play in the middle infield, and do not be surprised if he makes it to the mound before he is done here."

"I am impressed with the respect he has gained from his own coaches and those who have coached against him," Veale added. "He carries himself well on and off the field. I like the fact that Kyle is a leader and not a follower. I am extremely pleased that he chose to be a part of our program. We look for him to be an integral part of our success over the next four years."

In addition to playing baseball, Peters has also played football and basketball and been the team captain in all three sports. He was a First Team All-FAVC selection in football as a senior and the starting point guard in basketball for two years. He also finished second in career assists at Mason. He received the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award and was honored by the United States Marine Corps as a distinguished athlete. He was also involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

"I chose MVNC because of its spiritual, academic, and athletic reputation," said Peters of his college choice. "When I stepped on campus, this is where I knew I would spend the next four years of my life. Coach Veale and the baseball program impressed me, and I knew I could contribute in the near future."

MVNC posted a 38-11 overall record in 2002. The Cougars finished second in the American Mideast Conference with a 17-5 mark, and the team was also the runner-up in the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the third straight year.