Cougars Sweep Bethel to Extend Winning Streak


	Cougar Baseball Recap Cougars Sweep Bethel to Extend Winning Streak written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game 1 Boxscore \| Game 2 Boxscore MISHAWAKA, Ind. (4-7-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team posted a pair of one-run victories on Saturday afternoon at Bethel (Ind.) College in Mid-Central College Conference action as the Cougars prevailed 10-9 and 3-2 to extend their winning streak to seven straight games. In the first game, MVNU (21-11, 12-6 MCC) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning as sophomore designated hitter Seth Eller had a two-run double and sophomore third baseman Jeff Stone followed with an RBI single. After the host Pilots (8-28, 1-17 MCC) pulled within 3-1 with a run in the bottom of the first inning, the Cougars went back to work at the plate in the top of the second inning. When the dust had settled, MVNU had scored five runs to extend the lead to 8-1. Senior first baseman Josh Roberts (left) had the big blow in the inning with a three-run homer, while the other two runs scored on a wild pitch and an error respectively. The Cougars increased their lead to 9-1 in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI double by freshman outfielder Jake Dickerson and MVNU appeared on its way to an easy win. However, the big lead evaporated in the bottom of the fifth inning when Bethel used six hits and two errors to plate seven runs as the Pilots closed the gap to 9-8. Ethan Zartman's grand slam was the big hit in the inning for the Pilots. Roberts' second home run of the game and his team-leading seventh of the season gave the Cougars a little breathing run in the top of the sixth inning as MVNU led 10-8. Bethel plated a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull within 10-9, but that was as close as the Pilots would get as the Cougars held on for the victory. Sophomore right-hander Mike Kochheiser (5-0) picked up the win for MVNU despite allowing eight hits, two walks, and eight runs over 4.2 innings with four strikeouts. Freshman lefty Cameron Juhasz notched his first career save by tossing the final 2.1 innings and giving up just one hit, one walk, and one unearned run with one strikeout. Jerrod Long (1-4) took the loss for Bethel as he surrendered eight hits, four walks, and eight runs over just 1.2 innings. JJ DuBois tossed five innings and allowed just four hits, two walks, and two runs, while Colin Ullery registered the final out. Offensively, Roberts finished 2-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored, while junior shortstop Jordan Doherty went 3-for-4. Stone and Dickerson also had two hits apiece for the Cougars. Meanwhile, Zartman led the Pilots by going 3-for-4 with four RBI, and Cory Stoner had two hits and two RBI. "This was a bizarre game," said MVNU coach Keith Veale. "We came out of the gates swinging the bats with authority. It seemed like even our outs were hit hard. We were up 9-1 after four, and I was trying to figure out how we could get some more guys in the game, including maybe getting a few at bats for some guys who haven't gotten game reps in awhile. Then, the bottom of the fifth happens. We were really scrambling trying to find a way to get out of that inning. Josh got us one back in the sixth and that ended up being the difference. Cam came in and was a savior for us on the mound. He has been out for a couple weeks and his return could not have been more timely." After the first game slugfest, the second game started out like it was headed in the same direction. MVNU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI groundout by Eller and a run-scoring single by Stone only to see the Pilots plate two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to knot the score at 2-2. Then, the game turned into a pitchers' duel as junior right-hander Darren Athey (3-1) and Luke Pepple (1-3) matched each other scoreless inning for scoreless inning until the game reached the top of the seventh inning still tied at 2-2. In the top of the seventh inning, sophomore outfielder Sean Fleming led off the frame for the Cougars with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Then, after the next two batters were retired, he came around to score on a single to right by sophomore outfielder Robert Kane to give MVNU a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Athey retired the first two batters before walking Stoner. At that point, Veale turned to senior right-hander Jeff Estep to finish out the game and he did just thought by inducing Casey Weaver to ground out as the Cougars prevailed 3-2. Athey earned the win as he allowed just three hits, three walks, and two runs over 6.2 innings with five strikeouts. Estep notched his fourth save of the year by retiring the only batter he faced. Pepple took the loss for the Pilots as he scattered seven hits, one walk, and three runs (one earned) over 6.2 innings with two strikeouts. Brant Jones retired the only batter he faced. Kane and Fleming led MVNU with two hits apiece, while Steven Steele had two of Bethel's three hits including a triple. "We started early again in game two, but it was short-lived as they tied up the game in the bottom of the first," said Veale. "We left the bases loaded in the second, and I was thinking this could be another high scoring affair. However, both pitchers settled in and kept the offenses in check until the seventh. Sean got on base to lead off the seventh with an infield single and we got a wild pitch to get him to second. We almost stranded him there, but Robert came through with a big two-out, two-strike RBI single to center. Darren got two quick outs in the bottom of the inning, but then he walked the next hitter. It wasn't time to mess around, so we brought Jeff in and he got the groundout to end the game." "At times today, it was not pretty," Veale added. "But, I did like the way we stayed poised when the games were tight. We didn't lose our composure and found a way to get two conference wins. I think the guys will be glad to get back home. It was a long, yet productive road trip." With the two victories and based on other MCC results over the weekend, the Cougars have now moved into third place in the conference standings. MVNU will be back in action on Tueday when the Cougars will host Bethel in another MCC doubleheader that will start at 2 p.m. at Cougar Field.

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