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Cougars Sweep Series from Marian with Two
More Wins
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director
Game
1 Boxscore |
Game
2 Boxscore
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (4-5-2012) - The Mount
Vernon Nazarene University complete a
four-game series sweep of Marian (Ind.)
University in Mid-Central College Conference
play as the Cougars posted 5-0 and 6-3
victories on the Knights' home field on
Thursday afternoon in a conference
doubleheader on the heels of taking a pair
of games at MVNU on Tuesday.
In the first game on Thursday, the Cougars
(19-11, 10-6 MCC) wasted no time in take the
lead as MVNU took advantage of an error in
the top of the first inning after the first
two batters were retired to plate three
unearned runs and build a 3-0 lead.
Sophomore third baseman Jeff Stone drove in
the first run with an RBI single, while
freshman outfielder Jake Dickerson followed
with a two-run single to cap off the inning.
The Cougars' lead grew to 5-0 in the top of
the second inning when freshman outfielder
Kenny McCambridge and senior first baseman
Josh Roberts both had RBI doubles.
 That
would prove to be all the scoring in the
game as senior right-hander Kyle Barr
(left) (4-1) was outstanding on the
mound for MVNU. He allowed just four hits
over seven innings in tossing his second
shutout of the season and the seventh of his
career as he moved into 10th place in school
history in career wins (23) and third place
in shutouts. He allowed just one runner to
get past first base and that was Brett
Metcalf with a two-out triple in the bottom
of the sixth inning.
Ben Walters (5-3) took the loss for the
Knights (8-23, 6-10 MCC) as he gave up 11
hits and five runs (three earned) over seven
innings with two strikeouts.
McCambridge, Roberts, Dickerson, junior
shortstop Jordan Doherty, and freshman
second baseman Sterling Harpst each
collected two hits for the Cougars with
Dickerson driving in two of the team's five
runs.
"We were able to get an early lead by
scoring three runs with two outs in the
first inning," said MVNU coach Keith Veale.
"That really set the tone for the day. We
added two more in the second and gave Kyle a
chance to settle in. Give Kyle five runs to
work with and you're in for a tough day. He
really pounded the strike zone. I don't
think they had more than one base runner in
any inning. He only went three balls to two
hitters, and he retired both of them."
In the second game, the Cougars once again
got on the scoreboard first when MVNU
manufactured a run with a walk and stolen
base by Dickerson and then an RBI double
from sophomore outfielder Sean Fleming as
the Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the top of
the second inning.
Their advantage grew to 3-0 in the top of
the third inning when Fleming lined a
two-out, two-run single through the right
side of the infield. However, MVNU could
have scored even more runs when the final
out was recorded on a strikeout looking with
the bases loaded.
Marian strung together three hits in the
bottom of the third inning to close the gap
to 3-1, but the Cougars broke the game wide
open with three runs in the top of the sixth
inning sophomore outfielder Robert Kane
bunted in a run and Roberts added a two-run
single to give MVNU a 6-1 cushion.
The Cougars would need the cushion in the
bottom of the seventh inning when the
Knights made a valiant comeback attempt.
Marian plated two runs after the first two
batters were replaced to pull the Knights
within 6-3. Then, with runners at first and
third, Clifton grounded out to Doherty to
end the game.
Junior lefty Justin Brown (4-2) picked up
the complete game victory for MVNU as he
scattered nine hits, four walks, and three
runs over seven innings with four
strikeouts.
T.J. Witham (1-5) took the loss for Marian
as he surrendered six hits, four walks, and
six runs (four earned) over six innings with
five strikeouts. Dominick Newlin tossed the
final inning and walk one batter.
Offensively, Fleming led the Cougars by
going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Metcalf paced
the Knights with three hits, while Dustin
Hileman and Ben Walters added two hits each.
"Sean really gave us a lift offensively,"
said Veale. "He drove in our first three
runs with a couple of great two-out at bats.
He really was an offensive catalyst for us
in the second game. We worked hard yesterday
in practice on the short game. It really
paid off in the sixth as we manufactured
three runs which proved to be huge in the
end."
"It was a tough day to score runs," Veale
added. "The wind was blowing in hard. I
thought we adjusted pretty well and worked
to stay on top of the baseball. Our pitching
was solid and our execution offensively was
important. Overall, we are pleased with
getting a sweep of the series. We are trying
to put a good stretch together by playing
solid baseball."
MVNU will be back in action on Saturday when
the Cougars will travel to Bethel (Ind.)
College for another MCC doubleheader that
will started at 1 p.m. in Mishawaka, Ind.
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