News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team was well-represented when the American Mideast Conference North Division awards were announced recently.

Jon Barchus	Josh Sichina
Tim Martini	Justin Clarey
Adam Rowe	Dan Matheney
Derek Morey	Kyle Peters

Jon Barchus highlighted the awards for the Cougars as he was selected as the AMC North Division Pitcher of the Year. He was joined on the AMC North Division Team by Josh Sichina, Tim Martini, Justin Clarey, and Adam Rowe. Dan Matheney, Derek Morey, and Kyle Peters also were named to the AMC North Division Honorable Mention list.

Barchus, a junior right-handed pitcher from Crestline, Ohio, posted a 9-0 record with a 2.41 earned run average and two one-hit shutouts. In 52 1/3 innings of work, the former Mansfield Christian School star struck out 73 batters and issued just 14 walks. Barchus also notched one save to become MVNU's career leader in that category with 13.

Sichina, a senior third baseman from Byesville, Ohio, batted .347 with a team-high 41 RBI. The former Meadowbrook High School standout also posted seven doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 28 runs scored in his final season.

Martini, a sophomore outfielder from Galena, Ohio, led the team with a .350 batting average, 13 doubles, and 36 runs scored. The former Olentangy High School product also recorded three home runs and 32 RBI.

Clarey, a junior catcher from Columbus, Ohio, finished the year batting .296. The former Hilliard Darby High School star led the team with eight home runs and compiled 10 doubles, one triple, 10 runs scored, and 34 RBI.

Rowe, a junior left-handed pitcher from Wooster, Ohio, posted a 5-4 record on the mound with a 4.35 ERA, one save, and two shutouts. In 72 1/3 innings of work, the former Wooster High School standout struck out a team-leading 80 batters. Rowe, who also played rightfield when not on the mound, also batted .324 with seven RBI and 15 runs scored.

Matheney, a junior shortstop from New Concord, Ohio, batted .307 with three doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI, and 26 runs scored. The former John Glenn High School product struck out just once in 101 at bats during the season and went his final 88 at bats without fanning.

Morey, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Horseheads, New York, compiled a 5-3 record with a 4.22 ERA. In 64 innings of work, the former Horseheads High School standout struck out 28 batters. He also matched Barchus with seven complete games.

Peters, a freshman second baseman from Mason, Ohio, batted .294 in his first collegiate season. The former Mason High School star compiled three doubles, three triples, one home run, 21 RBI, and 30 runs scored. Peters also posted a 2-2 record on the mound with a 5.86 ERA.

MVNU closed out the season with a 27-19 overall record. The Cougars, who won the AMC North Division title, also finished as the NAIA Region IX Tournament runner-up for the fourth straight year.