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Three Mount Vernon Nazarene College athletes were honored for their performances during the week of March 29-April 4 when the American Mideast Conference, the NAIA Great Lakes Region, and the National Christian College Athletic Association announced their respective weekly award winners on Monday.
Andy Heimbach, a junior right-handed pitcher from Wheelersburg, Ohio, was the big winner as he was selected as the AMC, NAIA Great Lakes Region, and NCCAA National Pitcher of the Week. Heimbach, a former standout at Wheelersburg High School, posted a 2-0 record as he tossed his third and fourth shutout of the season in victories over St. Vincent (PA) College and the University of Rio Grande.
Against St. Vincent, Heimbach tossed a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts and no walks. In the win at Rio Grande, Heimbach allowed just five hits while striking out five Redmen batters. For the week, he struck out 16 batters in 11 innings of work with no walks.
With the two shutouts, Heimbach also tied the NAIA national record with 14 career shutouts. The record was previously set by Ron Norman of Pembroke State (NC) University from 1971-1974.
Chris Iceman, a senior first baseman from Lucas, Ohio, was also selected as the AMC Player of the Week as the Cougars swept the awards after a 5-1 week that saw the defending conference champions win all four of their AMC games.
Iceman led MVNC by hitting .458 (11-for-24) for the week with four doubles, a home run, five runs scored, 10 runs batted in, and a .750 slugging percentage. In conference games alone, the former Lucas High School star hit .643 (9-for-14).
Amanda Schumm, a member of the Lady Cougars' fastpitch softball team, was selected as the NCCAA National Player of the Week after receiving the NCCAA National Pitcher award last week. Schumm, a freshman pitcher/designated hitter from Rockford, Ohio, led MVNC to a 5-3 week by hitting .571 (12-of-21) with a double, a triple, a home run, six runs batted in, eight runs scored, and a .857 slugging percentage.
The former All-Ohioan at Parkway High School also posted a 2-1 record with a 0.64 earned run average on the mound. In 22 innings of work, Schumm struck out 21 batters including two nine-strikeout games against Cedarville College and Notre Dame College.
The MVNC baseball team is currently 15-7 overall and 4-0 in the AMC. The Cougars are scheduled to return to action at home on Tuesday against Cedarville College with the first game of the conference doubleheader slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
The MVNC softball team is 10-10 overall with a 4-2 conference mark. The Lady Cougars will travel to Walsh University, ranked #25 in the NAIA, for an AMC twinbill that will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
