Coach Veale	Levi Curry	Josh Estep

The Cougars, who earned a share of the AMC South Division title with a 19-5 conference mark, landed six players on the 17-player AMC South Division First Team and two others on the AMC South Division Second Team as MVNU was the only team to have eight players on the two teams. The Cougars also had three players named to the AMC South Division Honorable Mention list. In addition, head coach Keith Veale was selected as the AMC South Division Coach of the Year by his peers for his efforts in leading the team to its 12th conference title.

Levi Curry, a junior left-handed pitcher from Mount Vernon, Ohio, was selected as the AMC South Division Pitcher of the Year and highlighted the AMC South Division First Team selections for the Cougars. The former Mount Vernon High School star has posted a 7-3 record with a 2.39 ERA. In 71.2 innings of work, he has struck out 54 batters and issued just 18 walks.

Josh Estep, Richey Burgos, and Ross Yoder were also named to the AMC South Division First Team as three-fourths of the Cougars’ infield was honored at their respective positions. Eddie Smith was also named to the AMC South Division First Team in the outfield, and Mike Laughlin joined Curry as two of the four pitchers on the AMC South Division First Team.

Estep, a sophomore shortstop from Gahanna, Ohio, leads MVNU with a .418 batting average, 58 RBI, and 16 doubles. The former Gahanna Lincoln High School standout has also registered one triple, seven home runs, and 50 runs scored.

Burgos, a junior third baseman from Ponce, Puerto Rico, leads the Cougars with 10 home runs. The former Puerto Rico Academy product is batting .372 with 14 doubles, two triples, 48 runs scored, and 43 RBI.

Yoder, a junior second baseman from Berlin, Ohio, has scored a team-high 59 runs and stolen eight bases as the MVNU lead-off hitter. The former Hiland High School star is batting .405 with 12 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, and 45 RBI. He also has a .972 fielding percentage with seven errors in 252 fielding chances.

Smith, a senior centerfielder from Johnstown, Ohio, is batting .355 with eight doubles, one triple, five home runs, 39 runs scored, and 49 RBI. The former Northridge High School product has also committed just two errors in the outfield this season.

Laughlin, a senior right-handed pitcher from Mogadore, Ohio, has posted a 5-2 record on the mound with a 2.97 ERA. In 60.2 innings of work, the former Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy standout has struck out 55 batters and opponents are hitting just .219 against him.

Zack Helm, a senior designated hitter from Centerville, Ohio, was named to the AMC South Division Second Team. The former Dayton Christian High School standout is batting .385 with 10 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 44 runs scored, and 46 RBI.

Brandon Turner, a junior left-handed pitcher from Lucasville, Ohio, was also named to the AMC South Division Second Team. The former Valley High School star has posted an 8-1 record on the mound with a 2.56 ERA and a team-leading four shutouts. In 59.2 innings, he has struck out 36 batters and opponents are hitting just .210 against him.

Ryan Decker, a senior right-handed pitcher from Dover, Pennsylvania, was named to the AMC South Division Honorable Mention list. The former Dover High School product has posted a 7-2 record on the mound with a 3.49 ERA. In 67.0 innings of work, he has struck out 46 batters and issued just 14 walks.

Ari Yoder, a senior first baseman/catcher from Sugarcreek, Ohio, also earned a spot on the AMC South Division Honorable Mention list. The former Garaway High School standout is batting .308 with five doubles, a team-high three triples, two home runs, 27 runs scored, and 29 RBI.

Kodi Veale, a freshman outfielder from Mount Vernon, Ohio, rounded out the MVNU honorees as he was also an AMC South Division Honorable Mention selection. The former Mount Vernon High School star is batting .344 with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBI, 44 runs scored, and seven stolen bases.

The Cougars, who are 37-14 overall and received votes in the final NAIA poll, are now awaiting word on an at-large berth into the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament that will be held in Youngstown, Ohio, with games starting next Wednesday. The tournament field will be announced by no later than Sunday afternoon.