Wengerd, an infielder/pitcher from Trail, Ohio, posted a .520 batting average with a school-record 16 doubles, one triple, one home run, 43 runs scored, 36 RBI, and 14 stolen bases as a senior at Hiland High School as the Hawks posted a 28-4 record and finished as the state runner-up. On the mound, Wengerd went 8-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 48 innings with 22 walks. For his efforts, he was named to the Inter Valley Conference First Team, the Eastern District First Team, and selected as his team’s Gold Glove award recipient.

“Brandon is a player who continues to develop,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale, who has posted a 641-310 record in 19 seasons at the helm of the Cougars. “He has come a long way since we had him in for a workout last year. He is a heads-up player who is fundamentally sound at the plate and in the field. He will compete in the infield and may have the versatility to provide options in the outfield. We like his baseball instincts and his rising development over the past couple of years.”

In addition to playing baseball at Hiland and for the Brownlee Blackhawks in the summer, Wengerd was named to the IVC Second Team in golf as a senior. He was also a member of the graduation committee.

“There were several reasons why I chose MVNU,” said Wengerd of his college choice. “I love the Christian atmosphere, the school has a great baseball history, and I have several friends who go there.”

MVNU is an NAIA school that competes in the American Mideast Conference. The Cougars posted a 39-21 overall record in 2008 and captured the program’s sixth National Christian College Athletic Association national title. The team also advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the ninth straight year. Over the years, MVNU has had 13 players drafted by Major League teams including Tim Belcher, who was the top pick overall in the 1983 draft. Seven other former players have signed free agent contracts to play professional baseball.