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The Mount Vernon Nazarene College baseball team has added a middle infielder to help shore up its defense for the 2001 season.
Dan Matheney, a shortstop/second baseman from New Concord, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to further his education and continue his baseball career at MVNC. Matheney batted .440 as a senior with three home runs, six doubles, 13 runs batted in, and 27 runs scored as he was selected to the All-Muskingum Valley League and All-Eastern District First Teams. He also helped John Glenn High School to its first MVL title in 19 years.
"Dan is an important piece to our recruiting puzzle for this year," said MVNC head coach Keith Veale. "We are in need of depth in our middle infield, and I think that Dan can provide solid and consistent defense there."
"When I watched Dan play, I saw a kid who would compete hard, loves to play, and can provide leadership both on and off the field for us," Veale added. "I am excited to have him in our program. He played on a high school championship team and a state qualifying American Legion team, and he was an integral part of their success."
Besides his accomplishments on the baseball diamond, Matheney has also excelled in the classroom. He was a four-year member of National Honor Society, and he earned Academic All-Ohio honors. He finished second in the state on the Math Ohio Scholastic Achievement Test, and he was active in Student Council.
"There are several reasons why I chose to attend MVNC," said Matheney. "The school's atmosphere is a friendly, Christian environment. I like the baseball players and Coach Veale. MVNC also offers the major that I wish to pursue - Pre-Dentistry."
The Cougars posted a 29-20 overall record in 2000 as the program notched its seventh straight 20-win season. The team also advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament. In addition, one MVNC player, Dave Byard, was drafted by the New York Mets, while another player, Andy Heimbach, signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
