Cougars Drop Spring Trip Finale at Southeastern


	Cougar Baseball Recap Cougars Drop Spring Trip Finale at Southeastern written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Boxscore LAKELAND, Fla. (3-21-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team closed out its 10-game spring trip with a 9-5 loss at Southeastern (Fla.) University on Wednesday night at Ted Broer Stadium. The host Fire (20-14) came out red-hot the first two innings as they built an early 4-0 lead. Back-to-back-to-back two-out doubles by Shane Casey, Kevin Kunnen, and Daniel Mims plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and a one-out, two-run double by Vincent Caesar plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Cougars (10-8) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning when senior first baseman Josh Roberts led off the frame with a solo home run to leftfield - his team-leading fourth of the year and his second in as many games. Then, in the top of the fifth inning, MVNU plated three more runs to knot the score at 4-4. Sophomore outfielder Sean Fleming drove in the first run with an RBI single and two other runs came around to score when a throwing error after a wild pitch allowed Fleming to score from second and junior shortstop Jordan Doherty, who had singled, to score all the way from first. Southeastern regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Casey hit his second double of the game down the rightfield line to plate two runs with two outs as the Fire moved back on top 6-4. Then, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Southeastern took advantage of a pair of errors by the Cougars to score three more runs and take a commanding 9-4 lead. Caesar had a two-run triple in the frame, while Casey added his third double of the contest to drive in the other run. MVNU made things interesting in the top of the ninth inning as the Cougars loaded the bases on a walk, an error, and an infield single after the first two batters had been retired. Sophomore third baseman Jeff Stone lined an RBI single up the middle to pull MVNU within 9-5 and bring the tying run to the plate, but freshman outfielder Jake Dickerson struck out swinging to end the game. Sophomore right-hander Seth Eller started and pitched the first three innings for the Cougars and allowed seven hits and four runs with one strikeout. Freshman lefty Cameron Juhasz (1-2) worked the next four innings and was tagged with the loss despite striking out a career-high seven batters as he gave up four hits, two walks, and two runs. Senior right-hander Jeff Estep tossed the final inning and surrendered three hits and three runs with one strikeout. Johnnie Kirkland started and worked six innings for the Fire as he scattered nine hits, two walks, and four runs with four strikeouts. Michael Barrett (2-0) earned the victory with one scoreless inning of relief that included striking out two of the three batters he faced. William Glessner also tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout and one hit allowed, and Phillip Kish worked the ninth inning and allowed two hits, one walk, and one unearned run while striking out two batters. Offensively, MVNU collected 12 hits with Dickerson leading the way by going 3-for-5. Eller and sophomore outfielder Robert Kane also had two hits apiece. The Cougars stranded 10 base runners in the game. Casey finished with four hits and three RBI to lead Southeastern, while Caesar drove in four runs with a pair of hits. Brandon DeRespiris also went 3-for-4 and scored three times. "(Southeastern) attacked us early for four runs in the first two innings, but we fought back and tied it up in the fifth and were right in the game," said MVNU coach Keith Veale. "Cam did a nice job in the middle innings to allow us to have a chance. I was very encouraged with what he did on the mound. He mixed pitches well and struck out seven in four innings which was impressive. Offensively, we banged out 12 hits and have started to generate some quality at bats toward the end of our trip." "All in all, we have done some nice things on our trip," Veale continued. "We haven't quite put it all together at once or consistently, but we have shown signs of becoming a good ball club. We played five of our 10 games down here against Florida schools which is a nice challenge at this time of year. Everything from here on out is conference play, so we need to be ready when we get back at it this weekend." The Cougars will now turn their sights on the Mid-Central College Conference race as the remainder of their regular-season games will be against conference opponents. MVNU is slated to travel to Huntington (Ind.) University on Saturday for an MCC doubleheader that will begin at 1 p.m. weather permitting.

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