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News
Lady Cougars to Honor Five Seniors on
Saturday
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (4-24-2009) -
The Mount Vernon Nazarene
University women’s fastpitch softball team
will honor its five senior players after the
second game of the Lady Cougars’
best-of-three series with Geneva (Pa.)
College that starts at 11:00 a.m. on
Saturday at Cougar Field.

Candace White, Kylie Rupert, Laura
Morris, Whitney Clark, and Karly Clay have
led the Lady Cougars to an 80-71 record over
the past four years (.530 winning
percentage). During that span, the team has
won one National Christian College Athletic
Association East Region Tournament (2008)
and qualified for the American Mideast
Conference playoffs once (2008) when they
advanced to the championship game. MVNU also
took part in the 2008 NCCAA National
Tournament and finished fourth.
White, a pitcher from Gahanna, Ohio, has
pitched in 55 games during the past two
years since transferring to MVNU from
Northern Kentucky University following her
sophomore season. The former Gahanna Lincoln
High School star has posted a 27-20 record
with a 1.92 ERA with 36 complete games,
eight shutouts, two saves, and 206
strikeouts in 299.1 innings of work. This
season, White has posted a 15-9 record with
a 1.81 ERA as she has pitched in all but two
of the team’s games so far. She is a
two-time NCCAA East Region Team selection,
and she has a 3.34 grade point average in
the classroom.
"Candace has been a workhorse, a leader,
and a great teammate,” said MVNU coach Jeana
Howald. "Her influence on our team has been
top notch. When she is on the mound, she
provides confidence and strength. Even
though she did not start her career here, we
are glad that she will finish it here.”
Rupert, an infielder/pitcher from
Wapakoneta, Ohio, has seen action in 74
games during her four-year career. The
former Wapakoneta High School standout has
posted a .199 career batting average with
five doubles, 11 RBI, and 12 runs scored
while also going 5-5 with two saves in 19
career appearances on the mound. This
season, Rupert is batting .250 in 14 games.
She has posted a 3.95 grade point average
and was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete
last year and is up for those honors again
this season.
"Kylie is quiet yet strong,” said Howald.
"She has a great sense of humor and a
willingness to step up when called upon. Her
teammates and the coaches admire her for her
consistent positive attitude and character.”
Morris, an outfielder from Shelby, Ohio,
has played in 78 career games over the past
four years. The former Shelby High School
product has compiled a .220 career batting
average with 10 doubles, one triple, 11 runs
scored, and 15 RBI. This season, Morris is
batting .209 in 16 games. She has posted a
3.05 grade point average.
"Laura is a coach’s dream,” said Howald.
"She is the ultimate team player. She always
sees the bright side of situations and
people. She has been the cornerstone for
this senior class and team. She gets what
life is all about and great things are in
store for her.”
Clark, an outfielder from Logan, Ohio,
has seen action in 134 career games during
her four-year career. The former Logan High
School standout has posted a .237 career
batting average with two doubles, five
triples, 21 RBI, and 37 runs scored. This
season, Clark is batting .400 in 18 games.
She has posted a 3.43 grade point average
and has been nominated for the NCCAA
Scholar-Athlete Team.
"Whitney exudes a positive attitude no
matter the situation,” said Howald. "Her
leadership and desire have made her the
player that she is. Success will follow her
because of her work ethic and
determinination. She never quits.”
Clay, a third baseman from Blacklick,
Ohio, has played in all 151 games during her
four years at MVNU. The former Gahanna
Lincoln High School star has posted a .288
career batting average with 28 doubles, five
triples, one home run, 45 runs scored, and
71 RBI. She also ranks third in school
history with 315 assists. This season, she
is batting .271 in 30 games. Among her
many honors, Clay was named to the NCCAA
All-American Second Team as a sophomore. She
has also posted a 3.16 grade point average.
"Karly has been a leader for us,” said
Howald. "She is vocal and determined, and
she is a great competitor. Her no-quit
attitude will take her where she wants to be
in life. Her natural abilities as a
communicator and leader will carry over into
her profession as she becomes a teacher.”
"Each of these seniors has left not only
an impression but an impact on their
opponents, teammates, and coaches,” said
Howald. "Each one of them and their
uniqueness will be missed by all of us. I
love each one of them and know that God’s
blessings will be upon them. Thank you for
buying into MVNU.”
After Saturday’s games, the Lady Cougars
have a conference doubleheader at Shawnee
State University on Monday at 3:00 p.m. to
wrap up the regular season. MVNU is also
looking to qualify for the five-team AMC
Tournament that will get under way next week
at the top seed.
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