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MVNU Well Represented on NCCAA East Region Baseball Team
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team had eight different players and its coach recognized when the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Team was announced recently.

Mike Laughlin, Jon Barchus, Nick Schwartz, Steve Edwards, and Ty Dendinger were each named to the NCCAA East Region Team for the Cougars, while Kyle Peters, Richey Burgos, and Jake Poole were NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention selections. Head coach Keith Veale was also selected by his peers as the NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year.

Laughlin, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Mogadore, Ohio, has posted a 6-2 record with a 1.77 ERA so far this season. The former Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy standout has struck out 55 batters in 56 innings with just 25 walks. Opposing hitters have also recorded just 34 hits for a .182 batting average.

Barchus, a senior right-handed pitcher from Crestline, Ohio, is currently 4-5 with a 2.81 ERA. In 57 2/3 innings of work, the former Mansfield Christian High School star has struck out 47 batters with just 16 walks. Opposing hitters are batting just .250 against him.

Schwartz, a junior right-handed pitcher from Sunbury, Ohio, is currently 5-2 with a 4.57 ERA. In 65 innings of work, the former Big Walnut High School product has struck out 64 batters and issued just 15 walks.

Edwards, a senior outfielder from Grove City, Ohio, has compiled a .399 batting average with a team-high 59 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 35 runs scored, and 26 RBI. The former Grove City High School star has started 40 games for MVNU this year.

Dendinger, a senior first baseman from Greenwich, Ohio, is currently batting .389 with 38 starts in 41 games played. The former South Central High School standout has recorded 10 doubles, 21 runs scored, and 31 RBI while posting a .986 fielding percentage on defense.

Peters, a junior shortstop from Mason, Ohio, has posted a .374 batting average while starting all but one of the team’s games this season. The former Mason High School star has registered eight doubles, two triples, two home runs, 21 RBI, and 42 runs scored.

Burgos, a freshman third baseman from Ponce, Puerto Rico, is batting .366 while starting all but one game in his first college season. The former Puerto Rico Academy product has compiled 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 40 RBI, and 43 runs scored.

Poole, a sophomore left-handed pitcher from Wadsworth, Ohio, has appeared in a team-high 14 games this year for MVNU. The former Wadsworth High School standout has posted a 3-1 record with a 3.80 ERA and one save. In 21 1/3 innings of work, he has struck out 17 batters and issued seven walks.

Veale, who is in his sixteenth season guiding the Cougars, has led the team to a 29-15 overall record and the top seed at the upcoming NCCAA National Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee. MVNU also advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the sixth straight year.