Athletics

News

Cougars Receive AMC South Baseball Honors
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Eight members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team were recently recognized when the American Mideast Conference South Division honors were announced at the annual coaches meeting.


Nick Schwartz	Eddie Smith

Richey Burgos	Kyle Peters

Ari Yoder	Josh Estep

Bobby Deppe	Brandon Turner

Highlighting the list for the Cougars was senior right-handed pitcher Nick Schwartz, a native of Sunbury, Ohio, who was named to the AMC South Division First Team and the NAIA Region IX Team. The former Big Walnut High School star posted a 6-4 record on the mound with a 3.29 ERA. Schwartz led the team in innings pitched (79 1/3), strikeouts (75), starts (12), complete games (seven), and shutouts (2).

Joining Schwartz on the AMC South Division First Team and the NAIA Region IX Team was junior outfielder Eddie Smith, a native of Johnstown, Ohio. The former Northridge High School standout started in all 49 games and batted .351 with team-highs of 50 RBI and seven stolen bases. Smith also compiled 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, and 38 runs scored.

Richey Burgos, a sophomore third baseman from Ponce, Puerto Rico, was named to the AMC South Division Second Team. The former Puerto Rico Academy product led the Cougars with a .398 batting average. Burgos also registered 11 doubles, seven home runs, 35 runs scored, and 46 RBI as he started in all 49 games.

Kyle Peters, a senior shortstop/pitcher from Mason, Ohio, joined Burgos on the AMC South Division Second Team. The former Mason High School star batted .339 with 12 doubles, one home run, 25 RBI, and a team-high 42 runs scored as he started in all 49 games. On the mound, Peters also posted a 6-3 record with a team-best 3.19 ERA. In 73 1/3 innings, he struck out 46 batters.

Ari Yoder, a junior first baseman from Sugarcreek, Ohio, was also named to the AMC South Division Second Team. The former Garaway High School product batted .354 with four doubles, one triple, 24 RBI, 31 runs scored, and six stolen bases as he started in 48 games.

Josh Estep, a freshman infielder from Gahanna, Ohio, was an AMC South Division Honorable Mention pick. The former Gahanna Lincoln High School standout batted .338 with 12 doubles, five home runs, 28 RBI, and 41 runs scored in 44 starts.

Bobby Deppe, a freshman catcher from Lima, Ohio, was also an AMC South Division Honorable Mention selection. The former Lima Bath High School product batted .327 with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 14 RBI as he started in 37 games behind the plate. He also threw out 21 of the 61 runners who tried to steal on him.

Brandon Turner, a sophomore outfielder from Lucasville, Ohio, rounded out the MVNU players on the AMC South Division Honorable Mention list. The former Valley High School graduate batted .307 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 20 runs scored, and 32 RBI as he played in 44 games with 42 starts.

The Cougars finished the season with a 27-22 overall record. MVNU finished fourth in the AMC South Division with a 13-11 conference mark. Then, the Cougars advanced all the way to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the seventh straight year.