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Jake Poole, Nick Schwartz, and Kyle Peters have helped to lead the Cougars to a 119-72 record (.623 winning percentage) over the past four seasons as MVNU has won two conference titles and finished fifth at the NAIA World Series in 2004. The team is currently 20-17 overall this season and in the hunt for a spot in the upcoming American Mideast Conference Playoffs.

Poole, a left-handed pitcher from Wadsworth, Ohio, has seen action in 27 games over the past two seasons since joining the team. The former Wadsworth High School product has posted a 4-4 career record with a 5.50 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 36 innings of work. He also ranks sixth in school history with six career saves. Poole was named to the AMC South Division Second Team last season as well as being a National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Honorable Mention pick. This season, he is 1-2 with five saves and a 6.23 ERA in 12 appearances.

"Jake has been a pleasant addition to our team over the past two seasons,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale. "He is a quiet competitor, but he is respected by his teammates nonetheless. Jake has basically filled the role of being a closer - something we have not really had many of during recent years. His ability to handle pressure and throw strikes has allowed him to excel in this role.”

"Jake is a relentless worker and probably a bit of a perfectionist, which allows us to be confident that he is prepared,” Veale added. "He has spent significant time outside of practice developing pitches to get people out and help our team. His consistent approach to the game makes him well-suited for his relief role, even if he adds some excitement before finishing the game. I know his coaches and teammates value his friendship and leadership.”

Schwartz, a right-handed pitcher from Sunbury, Ohio, has posted a 23-10 career record in 42 appearances with four shutouts, 22 complete games, 228 strikeouts, and a 3.57 ERA in 252 1/3 innings. The former Big Walnut High School standout ranks fourth in school history in innings pitched, seventh in strikeouts, eighth in victories, and ninth in shutouts. Schwartz was named to the AMC South Division First Team, the NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American Team, and the NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team in 2004 as well as being a two-time NCCAA East Region Team selection. This year, he has posted a 5-2 record with a team-best 2.98 ERA and 47 strikeouts.

"Nick has had a tremendous career on the mound,” said Veale. "I think he has become a smart pitcher with a real understanding of how he wants to get hitters out. He has also assumed a more prominent leadership role with our pitchers. Don’t be fooled by his gentle disposition - he is a solid competitor on the mound.”

"Throughout his career here, Nick has become a highly respected pitcher in our league,” Veale added. "He has thrown a number of opening games in our conference schedule and is always matched up with the other team’s top pitcher. We like him in that position, and he has excelled. It has been such an encouragement to watch Nick mature spiritually as well. Since his summer with Athletes in Action, I can see a seriousness about his walk with God and an expanded heart for his teammates. His performance puts him in some elite company here at MVNU.”

Peters, an infielder/pitcher from Mason, Ohio, has played in 186 of the team’s 191 games during the past four years and has compiled a .340 career batting average with 216 hits in 636 at bats. He also has posted an 8-5 record on the mound with a 4.83 ERA and four saves. The former Mason High School star ranks fifth in school history in walks (87) and at bats, sixth in assists (377), seventh in runs scored (166), eighth in hits, and ninth in games played. Peters was named to the AMC South Division First Team last year and the AMC South Division Second Team and NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American Team in 2004. This year, he has compiled a .346 batting average and leads the team with 37 runs scored to go with a 3-3 record on the mound with a 4.47 ERA.

"Kyle has had an incredible career here at MVNU,” said Veale. "He has been a four-year starter and has started games in at least five different positions, which is a tribute to his versatility and more significantly his willingness to put the team first. Throughout his career, he has shown a passion to play. It has been evident in practice as well as in games. In his early years here, Kyle watched closely the leadership of the upperclassmen and provided strong secondary leadership even as a freshman and sophomore. These last two years, he has been as good of a leader as any we have had at MVNU.”

"Kyle never asks someone to do something that he would not do himself,” Veale added. "From raking the field, to chasing foul balls, to taking extra swings, he just wanted the team to succeed. He doesn’t just show up on game day - he is ready and prepared to play. I hope some of our younger guys are taking notes. Looking back on Kyle’s career, I will remember his competitiveness and his team-first approach to our program. He is one of the finest to play here at MVNU.”

Following Wednesday’s games, the Cougars will close out the AMC South Division portion of their schedule with an important four-game series at the University of Rio Grande on Friday and Saturday. MVNU is battling with Tiffin University for the fourth and final spot in the upcoming AMC Best-of-Three Playoffs.