Grant Martin, Ian Durbin, Steve Miller, Alan Varney, Michael Hendren, Ricardo Rodriguez, Caleb Wright, Steve Williams, and Kodi Veale have led the Cougars to a 169-96 overall record (.638 winning percentage) the past five years that includes a share of the 2007 American Mideast Conference South Division title, the 2008 National Christian College Athletic Association national championship, and the 2010 AMC Tournament title and a berth in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. MVNU is currently 24-15 overall and 11-5 and tied for first place in the AMC this season.

Martin, a right-handed pitcher from Westerville, Ohio, has posted a 7-5 record with a 3.73 ERA in 21 appearances that include 18 starts over the past two years after transferring to MVNU. The former West Jefferson High School standout has logged 101.2 innings, two complete games, one shutout, one save, and 78 strikeouts during that span. This season, he is 5-1 with a 3.23 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 53 innings of work.

"Grant has been a pleasant addition to our pitching staff since transferring in two years ago,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale. "After having Tommy John surgery, he was relentless in his pursuit of finishing his collegiate career. Few understand the effort it takes to return to the field and compete at a high level. In the past two seasons, he has established himself as a conference starter. He has juggled a lot of responsibilities with family, work, and school, all the while being dedicated to his team and teammates. He has contributed significantly on the field, but equally as much off the field. He has challenged his teammates and coaches to look beyond the surface, and he is going to make a great talk show host someday.”

Durbin, a catcher from Delaware, Ohio, has played in 106 games and posted a .314 batting average over the past three years after transferring to MVNU. The former Buckeye Valley High School product has compiled 16 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 23 runs scored, and 57 RBI while posting a .979 fielding percentage. This season, he is batting .303 with 12 RBI.

"Ian is another transfer who moved right in behind the plate as a starting catcher,” said Veale. "He has been instrumental in controlling the opposing team's running game with excellent arm strength and quickness. He balances the art of competing hard, yet enjoying the fight. He has hit in the middle of our lineup and has handled the pitching staff well. After graduation, you will probably see Bub most mornings at McDonald's drinking coffee with Coach Laz.”

Miller, a right-handed pitcher from Millersburg, Ohio, has appeared in 47 games primarily out of the bullpen over the past four years. The former Hiland High School graduate has posted a 7-5 record with a 4.47 ERA, three saves, one complete game in just three career starts, and 51 strikeouts in 88.2 innings of work. This year, he has an 0-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and two saves.

"Steve has saved his best season for last,” said Veale. "He has primarily been used out of the bullpen throughout his career. He has made a few spot starts and closed a few games, but most of all he has been very valuable as a middle relief pitcher. He has a good idea of what he wants to do on the mound and goes about his trade with a purpose. He has thrown some big games throughout his career, and his teammates have become confident with him on the mound.”

Varney, an infielder from Westerville, Ohio, has played in 104 games during his four-year career and posted a .267 batting average. The former New Albany High School product has registered seven doubles, four triples, one home run, 23 RBI, and 68 runs scored. This season, he has played primarily third base and is batting .259 with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored while standing second on the team with three triples.

"Alan has competed on the infield at second and third base over the past four years,” said Veale. "Throughout his career, he has contributed as an infielder, a courtesy runner, and a pinch hitter. He has started more than half of our games at third base this year. He has a youthful enthusiasm for the game of baseball, and he is always willing to get extra swings in the cages. He will keep this team together in the years ahead by organizing Fantasy Baseball Leagues.”

Hendren, an infielder from Johnstown, Ohio, ranks eighth in school history by playing in 200 games over the past four years and is tenth in career assists with 352. The former Johnstown-Monroe High School star has posted a .309 career batting average with 13 doubles, eight triples, two home runs, 28 stolen bases, 78 RBI, and 143 runs scored. This season, he has a career-best .417 batting average to lead the team while driving in 24 runs and scoring 21 runs.

"Mike has played second base, shortstop, and third base during his career and may have even had a couple of starts in the outfield early in his career,” said Veale. "His athleticism has allowed him to play a variety of positions. Last year, he started the entire season at shortstop, and this season he has been our starting second baseman. He has consistently given us quality at bats throughout his career. This season has been his finest offensive showing as he has led the team in hitting for most of the season. He plays with a consistent, quiet confidence which is easy to count on as a teammate.”

Rodriguez, a catcher from Yauco, Puerto Rico, has seen action in 96 games over the past four years and has posted a .281 batting average. The former Luis Munoz Marin Yauco High School product has compiled 11 doubles, one triple, 12 runs scored, and 34 RBI while posting a .981 fielding percentage. This season, he is batting .238 with 13 starts.

"Ricardo has been a four-year contributor to the program,” said Veale. "His athleticism has allowed him to be a catcher. Period. He has performed the thankless task of catching bullpens, practices, and some game innings. The duties of the catchers are rarely appreciated. He has split time this year behind the plate. He has quality offensive skills from the left side of the plate. He has also come off the bench and given us some clutch at bats this year. We are glad he has made the sacrifice to come to the states and be part of our program.”

Wright, a right-handed pitcher from Laurelville, Ohio, has posted a 20-13 record with a 5.06 ERA over the past four years. The former Zane Trace High School star ranks ninth in school history with 231.1 innings pitched and he has amassed 12 complete games, four shutouts, and 142 strikeouts in 45 career appearances with 44 starts. This season, he is 5-3 with a 3.52 ERA and has 53 strikeouts while tossing a team-leading 53.2 innings.

"Caleb has been a four-year starting pitcher,” said Veale. "He came in his freshman year and had the ability to jump into our starting rotation. When he is on his game, he is fun to watch. He is a great competitor, and the team knows they can count on him on game day. He has 20 career wins, which puts him in some elite company here at MVNU. We appreciate the pride he takes in his game. He has probably thrown more bullpens than anyone in Cougar baseball history. It is a testament to your desire to perform at your very best. And thanks for bringing back the knuckleball.”

Williams, an outfielder from Cincinnati, Ohio, has played in 192 games over the past four years and posted a .340 batting average. The former Milford High School standout ranks eighth in school history with 630 career at bats and tenth with 41 career doubles, and he has also recorded 10 triples, 11 home runs, 126 runs scored, and 135 RBI. This season, he is batting .320 with nine doubles, one triple, a team-high three home runs, 17 RBI, and 16 runs scored.

"Steve has been another four-year performer in our program,” said Veale. "He worked his way into the lineup early in his career, primarily because of his offensive ability. During his career here, he has become a solid defensive leftfielder as well. He truly loves to play the game and is another guy who is ready to get extra swings any time. Always an adventure on the basepaths, he has been described as a wily veteran by some, and there is no denying that he is crafty. It has also been obvious that he has had a wonderful career at MVNU.”

Veale, an outfielder from Mount Vernon, Ohio, ranks third in school history by playing in 206 career games including a record-tying 60 games in 2008. The former Mount Vernon High School star has battled injuries the past two seasons that caused him to return a fifth year, but he has still managed to post a .319 batting average with 31 doubles, 11 triples, seven home runs, 29 stolen bases, 105 RBI, and 159 runs scored, which ranks tenth in school history. This season, he is batting .400 with 17 runs scored. He is also a standout in the classroom with a 3.92 grade point average that has earned him NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors.

"Kodi has crammed four years into five here at MVNU,” said Veale. "Coming into the program as a freshman, no one has ever had more pressure to perform here than him. He singled in his first collegiate at bat and has gone on to make significant contributions to the program throughout his career. Although he was a First Team All-Conference player his junior year, his biggest contributions have come in the past two years while dealing with injury. He has never let his disappointment be a negative to the team. Instead, he has always found ways to invest in his teammates on and off the field. Whenever he has been in the lineup, we have been a better team. Whenever he has been out of the lineup, he has made us a better team. He has left his own mark on this program and I am proud of what he has accomplished.”

The Cougars will enter Friday's doubleheader looking to clinch an AMC Tournament berth in its final four games that include a twinbill at Malone on Saturday. MVNU is currently tied with Point Park for first place in the AMC standings with Malone one game back and Cedarville University two games back. The top three teams qualify for the AMC Tournament. Point Park and Cedarville also start a four-game series on Friday.