MVNU returns 13 players including four position starters and the team’s top pitcher from last year’s squad that put together a successful 38-16 campaign which included a 19-5 American Mideast Conference South Division mark. The Cougars, who finished No. 26 in the final NAIA poll last year, dropped its first game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament before posting three straight victories that included the team’s third victory of the season over No. 15 Ohio Dominican University. However, MVNU came up just short 10-8 in the championship game against Walsh University.

Head coach Keith Veale will look to his returning players to lead the way as the Cougars prepare to get the new season started. The AMC South Division and NAIA Region IX Coach of the Year in 2007, Veale enters his 19th season guiding MVNU having posted a 602-289 record with the Cougars.

Senior left-hander Levi Curry (left) returns to anchor the MVNU pitching staff after compiling a 7-4 record with a 2.32 ERA while earning AMC South Division Pitcher of the Year and NAIA Region IX Team honors. He threw eight complete games in 12 starts and struck out 60 batters while logging a team-best 77.2 innings.

“Levi provides us with a competitive No. 1 in conference play,” said Veale. “His competitive experiences will allow us to compete against anyone. He had an outstanding year last year and is a critical piece at the top of our pitching equation. He has a lot to offer our entire pitching core both in terms of preparation and game-day performance.”

Senior right-hander Jason Barber returns after posting a 1-1 record with a team-high four saves and a 1.65 ERA. After appearing in 15 games in relief last year, he will most likely return in that role again for the Cougars. “Jason seemed to thrive in that (relief) role with some quality innings, and we will look to his experience and composure to provide relief in many key situations during our season, said Veale.”

Senior right-handers Marc Hadley and Dave Yost will also figure into the pitching rotation. Hadley, who is coming off arm surgery in the fall, posted a 2-1 record with two saves and a 3.33 ERA last year, while Yost went 5-2 with a 6.83 ERA.

“When healthy, Marc will factor into our starting rotation or provide innings in relief,” said Veale. “He is a reliable ground-ball pitcher with the ability to gobble up innings and would be a nice option for us in a four-game conference series if he can return to form. Dave is an option primarily as a starter or in long relief. If he can consistently put some outings together, he can help us in the starting rotation.”

Junior right-handers Jason Decker and Josh Estep along with freshman right-hander Caleb Wright and freshman lefty Josh Mann are all potential options for spots in the starting rotation. Decker posted a 2-1 record with a 7.77 ERA, while Estep made two appearances in relief two years ago for the Cougars. Wright posted an 11-1 record with a 1.08 ERA as a senior at Zane Trace High School, and Mann was an All-Conference First Team selection as a senior at Newark High School.

“Jason has been working hard this offseason and we feel comfortable with him starting or relieving,” said Veale. “Josh (Estep) has some of our better velocity and it would be a huge plus if he becomes an option as a starter. Caleb is competing hard for innings and comes in as ready as any of our first-year pitchers. Josh (Mann) has our best arm in the freshmen class and has a chance to step into the upper-end of our starting staff if he can develop quickly.”

Sophomore right-handers Michael King and Matt Parks will both compete for innings after seeing limited action a year ago. Freshmen Andy Podolak (LHP), Steve Miller (RHP), and Andy Carter (RHP) will round out the depth in the bullpen for MVNU.

Senior Ross Yoder (right) leads four returning position starters after earning NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors last year while batting .406 with 10 homers, 48 RBI and 63 runs scored. He will move from second base to shortstop after committing just nine errors in 268 chances in 2007.

“We will most likely move Ross to shortstop to take advantage of his ability to make routine plays,” said Veale. “His quickness will allow us to defend the middle of the diamond well. Offensively, he is a catalyst. He is an exceptional offensive threat at the top of our order. He lives and breaths baseball and motivates his teammates to do the same.”

Senior third baseman Richey Burgos (left) returns looking to cap off a stellar career that already has him in the top 10 in school history in doubles, home runs, runs scored, RBI, and walks. Last year, he batted .372 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI, and 50 runs scored while drawing 32 walks including 11 intentional walks. He was named to the AMC South Division First Team and the NAIA Region IX Team.

“Richey has been a steady performer throughout his career,” said Veale. “His glove and arm strength allow him to be a strength at either corner infield spot. His offensive abilities make him one of the top players at the NAIA level. His presence in the middle of our lineup creates more concern from the opposition than any player I can remember. We look for a big finish in his senior season that will put an exclamation point on an outstanding career.”

Estep (right) also returns to the infield and will move from shortstop to second base after a breakout season a year go when he batted .414 with seven homers, 60 RBI, and 50 runs scored and was named to the AMC South Division First Team and the NAIA Region IX Team.

“We will most likely move Josh to second base in an attempt to solidify the entire infield and allow an easier transition to use Josh on the mound,” said Veale. “He had a banner year in 2007 hitting in the No. 4 spot behind Richey. He is a confident, clutch performer in the heart of our lineup.”

Heading into the season, Parks appears to be the front-runner to start at first base after seeing action there last year. He batted .310 with 20 RBI and 31 runs scored with 29 starts. “Matt adjusted nicely to a new position last year,” said Veale. “His versatility and athleticism provides numerous options for him defensively. After a solid season offensively, he will hit somewhere in the middle or front half of the lineup.”

Defensively on the infield, freshman Michael Hendren is capable of playing second base, third base, or shortstop after being a two-time All-Conference First Team selection at Johnstown-Monroe High School. Freshman Alan Varney is also an option at second base after batting .373 at New Albany High School.

In the outfield, sophomore Kodi Veale (left) will move from right field to centerfield after starting all 54 games and batting .326 with 28 RBI and 46 runs scored a year ago. He led all outfielders on the team with 97 putouts and nine assists. “Kodi opened his career with a solid year offensively,” said Veale. “He is one of our better situational hitters. His overall skill set will provide top-to-bottom lineup options.”

Senior Garret Shivley will move from a back-up role to a starting spot in left field after batting .340 with 15 starts a year ago. He also tied both Yoder and Veale for the team lead as all three players stole eight bases apiece last year. “Garret has had a solid preseason,” said Veale. “His running ability will allow him to cover ground defensively. His ability to drive the ball in the gaps provides numerous options in our lineup from top to bottom.”

Freshman Steve Williams will enter the season as the probable starter in right field after batting .414 with 23 RBI and 25 runs scored in 30 games as a senior at Milford High School. “Steve showed in the fall that he is a tough out from the left side of the plate,” said Veale. “He has shown a mature approach to the game that has provided a confidence level with his teammates. We project him as a steady defender along with being an early contributor with the bat.”

Junior Nick Martindale, Hadley, and Parks provide depth in the outfield. “Nick is a valuable player on our roster because he has the athletic ability to play any of the outfield positions,” said Veale. “He has one of our better throwing arms from the outfield. He can and will contribute on the basepaths. Marc has good power at the plate. If he does not factor into the outfield, then he is a primary designated hitter candidate. Matt saw some time in the outfield last year and we are confident he can handle the position if we pursue this option.”

Sophomore catcher Travis McInerney (right) will look to get the starting nod behind the plate after batting .545 in limited action last year. Freshmen Cory Bean and Ricardo Rodriguez along with sophomore Matt Tucker will also compete for playing time. Bean was a three-time All-Conference First Team selection at Alexander High School, while Rodriguez brings an impressive resume from Puerto Rico.

“Travis has shown tremendous improvement and is a solid receiver with a quality arm behind the plate,” said Veale. “Offensively, he will be a tough out with the ability to drive the ball in the gaps. Cory is the most advanced catcher on our roster defensively and is capable of contributing behind the plate early in his career. Ricardo has shown nice progress this offseason. He has shown some pop with the bat and will push for playing time as his skills develop. Matt provides depth behind the plate and with the bat.”

The Cougars were slated to get the season under way on March 6 with a non-conference 9-inning game at home against Capital University, but that game has been canceled. The team will try to play a doubleheader at Georgetown (Ky.) College on March 8 if the weather permits before heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, for the team’s annual spring trip that will feature 15 games including one at Embry-Riddle (Fla.) University, who is ranked No. 15 in the NAIA preseason poll.

Upon returning north, MVNU, which received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, will play non-conference games against Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio State University-Newark, Cleveland State University, and Wilmington College.

The Cougars will also look to challenge for the AMC title with four games each against Notre Dame College, Walsh University (NAIA receiving votes), Malone College, and Point Park (Pa.) University and doubleheaders against Ohio Dominican University (NAIA No. 12), University of Rio Grande, Shawnee State University, Urbana University, and Cedarville University.

“As a team, I believe our strength will be on the offensive side of the game,” said Veale. “We have the heart of our order returning and we believe we will score some runs. We hope that offensive consistency will allow our pitching staff to get their feet down and begin to establish some confidence before our conference schedule kicks in. We must improve defensively from last year if we are to progress into the postseason. This is a hard-working group with a lot of baseball savvy. If we get quality innings on the mound and do the ordinary things well on defense, we won’t be disappointed in May.”