News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Josh Sichina, the lone senior on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team, will be honored prior to Saturday's American Mideast Conference North Division doubleheader against Point Park (Pa.) College at 1:00 p.m.

Sichina, a third baseman from Byesville, Ohio, has put together a solid four-year career for the Cougars. The former Meadowbrook High School standout has posted a career batting average of .330 (176-for-534) while playing in 176 games - good enough for eleventh place on the program's all-time list. Sichina has also helped MVNU to a 125-63 overall record (.665 winning percentage) over the past four seasons.

For his career, Sichina has compiled 32 doubles, five triples, and ranks tenth in school history with 18 home runs. He is also seventh in runs batted in with 137, and he is one of only five players in the Cougars' history to score 100 or more runs and drive in at least 125 runs. Defensively, he also ranks ninth with 226 career assists.

"When I think of Josh, the thought of consistency comes to mind," said MVNU head coach Keith Veale. "I view consistency as the mark of a champion. Since Josh's arrival in our program, he has been a consistent performer. Through the years, his teammates and coaches have viewed Josh as someone to be counted on."

"Josh has put in the time and effort to be successful in the classroom, on the practice field, and in his relationships with his teammates," Veale added. "Over the past four years, he has been a stabilizing influence on our club. I view him as a clutch performer who has produced under pressure. I will continue to value his friendship and support for me as a coach. He has always been a team player."

This season, Sichina is closing out his career in fine fashion. He leads the team with 36 RBI and he is second with a career-best .357 batting average. He has seven doubles, two triples, five home runs, and has scored 22 runs. Earlier this season, he just missed tying the school record for RBI in a game when he went 5-for-5 versus Geneva (Pa.) College and drove in seven runs.

During his career, Sichina has been named to the AMC Honorable Mention Team twice. He has been nominated for both the AMC and National Christian College Athletic Association East Region teams this year.

The Cougars are currently 23-16 overall and in first place in the AMC North with a 12-6 division record. With at least one victory over Point Park, MVNU will clinch one of the two top seeds in the upcoming NAIA Region IX Tournament to be held in Chillicothe, Ohio.