News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's fastpitch softball team has added another player to its roster for the 2004 season with the addition of Danielle Herbert, who has decided to further her education and continue her softball career with the Lady Cougars.

Herbert, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was a three-year varsity performer at Mount Vernon High School as a centerfielder and pitcher. As a senior in 2002, she batted .348 with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 14 runs scored, and 14 runs batted in. She was a two-time Ohio Capital Conference First Team and All-Metro selection, and she was named to the All-District Second Team in 2001.

"We are excited about the addition of Danielle to our team," said MVNU head coach Jeana Howald. "She will compete for playing time right away in the outfield, and she will also add depth to our pitching staff. She is a quality individual who wants to be at a Christian school, and she will be a nice addition to our team."

"There are several reasons why I chose MVNU," said Herbert, who attended Shawnee State University this past year but did not play softball. "I have lived in Mount Vernon my whole life and I like my hometown. It's going to be a wonderful experience playing softball for MVNU and I will enjoy the campus life just as much. The Christian environment is good for anyone, and I hope to better myself in the next few years as a softball player and a person."

MVNU posted a 29-20 overall record in 2003 and advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the first time ever. The Lady Cougars, who set a school record with a .952 fielding percentage and also had a team earned run average of 1.74, return all but two players from this year's squad.