"Ten Cougars Receive All-Conference Honors"

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

Mark Coulter	Scott Crawford	Justin Clarey

Adam Rowe	Jon Barchus	Chris Holly

Eddie Wright	Jason Irish	Josh Sichina	Dan Matheney

   Ten members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College baseball team were recently recognized for their efforts during the 2002 season when the American Mideast Conference awards were announced.

   Mark Coulter, a senior from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was selected to the AMC First Team at first base. The former Lewistown Area High School standout led the Cougars with a .436 batting average as he compiled 13 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 31 runs scored, and 54 runs batted in. Coulter, a southpaw, also posted a 7-2 record on the mound with a 3.83 earned run average.

   Scott Crawford, a senior from Waldo, Ohio, joined Coulter on the AMC First Team as the shortstop. The former River Valley High School star batted .356 with nine doubles, a team-high four triples, two home runs, 19 RBI, 49 runs scored, and eight stolen bases.

   Justin Clarey, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, was named to the AMC First Team for the second straight year as the catcher. The former All-Ohioan at Hilliard Darby High School batted .411 with 11 doubles, one triple, a team-high 11 home runs, 15 runs scored, and a team-best 58 RBI. Clarey also threw out eight of the 18 runners who tried to steal on him this year.

   Adam Rowe, a sophomore from Wooster, Ohio, was named as one of the starting pitchers on the AMC First Team. The former Wooster High School star posted a 10-0 record on the mound with a 3.00 ERA. Rowe, a southpaw, worked a team-leading 81 innings and struck out a team-high 78 batters while issuing just 31 walks.

   Jon Barchus, a sophomore from Crestline, Ohio, was selected as the AMC First Team relief pitcher. The former Mansfield Christian High School standout led MVNC with a school-record seven saves. The right-hander posted a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA as he struck out 33 batters in 28 innings.

   Chris Holly, a senior from Sunbury, Ohio, was selected as one of the starting pitchers on the AMC Second Team. The former Big Walnut High School product compiled an 8-3 record on the mound with a team-leading 2.72 ERA. In 72 2/3 innings of work, Holly, a right-hander, struck out 48 batters with only 19 walks

   Eddie Wright, a senior from Mount Vernon, Ohio, was chosen as one of the outfielders on the AMC Second Team. The Mount Vernon High School graduate compiled a .356 batting average with nine doubles, one triple, three home runs, 34 runs scored, and 37 RBI. Wright also led the team with six outfield assists.

   Jason Irish, a junior from Cortland, Ohio, was named as the AMC Second Team designated hitter. The former Lakeview High School standout batted .353 with nine doubles, two home runs, 26 runs scored, and 29 RBI. Irish, a right-handed pitcher, also posted a 4-2 record on the mound with a 5.44 ERA.

   Josh Sichina and Dan Matheney also received Honorable Mention from the AMC coaches as the Cougars' entire starting infield received recognition. Sichina, a junior third baseman from Byesville, Ohio and Meadowbrook High School, posted a .299 batting average with nine doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 28 runs scored, and 45 RBI. Meanwhile, Matheney, a sophomore second baseman from New Concord, Ohio and John Glenn High School, batted .314 with eight doubles, one home run, 23 RBI, and a team-high 50 runs scored.

   MVNC finished the season with a 38-11 overall record. The Cougars, who were second in the AMC with a 17-5 conference mark, advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the third straight season before finishing as the region runner-up.