(From left: Chris Stanifer, Chris Iceman, Jeremiah Armstrong, and Matt Triplett)
Four members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College baseball team will play their final regular-season home game at Cougar Field on Monday when MVNC hosts Kenyon College in a non-conference nine-inning game at 4:00 p.m.
Seniors Chris Stanifer, Chris Iceman, Jeremiah Armstrong, and Matt Triplett have played a key role in the success that the Cougars have had over the past four seasons as the program has posted an overall record of 155-35 (.816 winning percentage) during that span. MVNC has won three conference titles, two National Christian College Athletic Association national championships, and made the school’s only appearance in the NAIA World Series while this foursome has worn the navy blue and kelly green uniforms of the Cougars.
Stanifer, an outfielder from Adrian, Michigan, leads the team with a .417 batting average, 60 hits, 14 doubles, 45 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases this season. Earlier this season, the former Adrian High School standout was selected as the American Mideast Conference Player of the Week.
For his career, Stanifer has a .375 batting average, which ranks sixth all-time in MVNC history. He is second in career stolen bases (72), fourth in career runs (195), ninth in career hits (182), and tenth in career games played (173).
Iceman, a first baseman from Lucas, Ohio, is batting .379 this season and leads the team with 33 runs batted in. The former Lucas High School star also has 50 hits, 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, and four home runs. He was also selected as the AMC Player of the Week once this season.
Iceman has a .352 career batting average to place ninth on the Cougars’ all-time list. He holds the career putouts record with 1,337 and is third in games played (188). He also ranks fifth in career doubles (47), career hits (217), and career at bats (617).
Armstrong, a pitcher from Uhrichsville, Ohio, has posted a 3-5 record this season with one shutout and six complete games. The former Claymont High School standout has a 3.78 earned run average with 55 strikeouts in 50 innings of work.
For his career, Armstrong has an 18-11 overall record with a 4.22 ERA. He has struck out 191 batters in 187 2/3 innings of work and posted four shutouts.
Triplett, a pitcher from Ashville, Ohio, has compiled a 3-3 record this season with two shutouts and five complete games. The former Teays Valley High School product has a 3.74 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings of work.
Triplett, who was an infielder during his first two seasons at MVNC, has a career batting average of .294 with nine runs scored, three doubles, and two RBI. His career pitching record is 4-3 with six complete games and two shutouts. He also has 34 career strikeouts.
These four players have laid the cornerstone for the future development of the Cougar baseball program. As MVNC begins its postseason run later this week in the AMC Tournament at Ohio Dominican College, these seniors will be counted on heavily for their leadership both on and off the field.
