News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team has added another player to its roster for the 2004 season with the addition of Mike Laughlin.

Laughlin, a right-handed pitcher from Mogadore, Ohio, has decided to further his education and continue his baseball career at MVNU. As a senior at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Laughlin posted a 4-4 record with a microscopic 1.76 earned run average. In 51 2/3 innings of work, he struck out an impressive 72 batters and issued just 11 walks. For his efforts, Laughlin was an All-PAC 7 selection.

"Mike is an important recruit for our program," said MVNU head coach Keith Veale. "We have to continue to improve on the mound next season. Given Mike's ability to throw more than one pitch for strikes, I believe he will make some contributions to our pitching staff early in his career. He has an above average fastball and a good breaking pitch. However, his best attribute is his command. He has a great frame to work with and has an up side as far as potential for continued improvement. He shows good poise on the mound and that will enhance his opportunities. We see Mike as someone who will help continue the rich pitching tradition at MVNU."

In addition to excelling on the baseball field at CVCA, Laughlin was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a senior. He also played for the Boys of Summer Organization for five years including a 6-1 record on the mound in 2002.

"There are several reasons why I chose MVNU," said Laughlin. "I liked its overall setting, and the people impressed me when I visited campus. Baseball was also a factor in choosing a school, and the program's reputation for being a quality team influenced me the most."

MVNU finished the season with a 27-19 overall record and won the American Mideast Conference North Division title. The Cougars also advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the fourth straight year before finishing as the region runner-up.