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MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Eight members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team were recognized when the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region honors were announced recently.

Jon Barchus	Adam Rowe
Josh Sichina	Dan Matheney
Tim Martini	Justin Clarey
Ty Dendinger	Kyle Peters

Headlining the list was junior right-handed pitcher Jon Barchus from Crestline, Ohio, who was named the NCCAA East Region Pitcher of the Year. The former Mansfield Christian School standout has posted a 9-0 record on the mound with a 2.41 earned run average. In 52 1/3 innings of work, he has struck out 73 batters and issued just 14 walks.

Joining Barchus on the NCCAA East Region Team were Adam Rowe, Josh Sichina, Dan Matheney, and Tim Martini.

Rowe, a junior left-handed pitcher from Wooster, Ohio, has posted a 5-3 record with a 3.95 ERA. In 66 innings of work, the former Wooster High School star has struck out a team-high 74 batters and issued just 32 walks. Rowe is also batting .324 and plays rightfield when not on the mound.

Sichina, a senior third baseman from Byesville, Ohio, is currently batting a career-best .364. The former Meadowbrook High School standout has compiled seven doubles, two triples, six home runs, 25 runs scored, and leads the team with 40 RBI.

Matheney, a junior shortstop from New Concord, Ohio, has posted a .314 batting average so far. The John Glen High School product has two doubles, two home runs, nine RBI, and 25 runs scored.

Martini, a sophomore outfielder from Galena, Ohio, leads the Cougars with a .388 batting average as the team's lead-off hitter. The Olentangy High School graduate also leads the team with 13 doubles and 34 runs scored, and he has also compiled three home runs and 31 RBI.

In addition to these five MVNU players who made the 17-member NCCAA East Region Team, Justin Clarey, Ty Dendinger, and Kyle Peters were also NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention picks.

Clarey, a junior catcher from Columbus, Ohio, is currently batting .279 and leads the team with eight home runs. The former Hillard Darby High School standout has also recorded nine doubles, one triple, 10 runs scored, and 33 RBI.

Dendinger, a sophomore first baseman from Greenwich, Ohio, is batting .323 after moving from third to first this season. The South Central High School product has also compiled eight doubles, one triple, two home runs, 20 runs scored, and 19 RBI.

Peters, a freshman second baseman from Mason, Ohio, is batting .306 in his first collegiate season. The former Mason High School star has also recorded three doubles, a team-high three triples, one home run, 28 runs scored, and 21 RBI. He also has a 2-2 record on the mound with a 5.86 ERA.

MVNU is currently 27-17 overall and has advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the fourth straight year. The Cougars will take on the winner of the game between Ohio Dominican University and Point Park (Pa.) College on Saturday afternoon.