Cougars Split MCC Twinbill at Goshen


	Cougar Baseball Recap Cougars Split MCC Twinbill at Goshen written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game 1 Boxscore \| Game 2 Boxscore GOSHEN, Ind. (4-12-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team split a Mid-Central College Conference doubleheader at Goshen (Ind.) College on Thursday afternoon as the visiting Cougars won game one 6-0 and then fell 7-6 in the nightcap. Sophomore right-hander Mike Kochheiser (6-0) *(left)*tossed his second shutout of the year in game one as he limited the Maple Leafs (11-26, 4-18 MCC) to just five hits and one walk as he tossed seven strong innings and lowered his team-leading ERA to 1.69. Meanwhile, the Cougars' offense gave him all the run support he needed in the top of the third inning when MVNU (23-13, 14-8 MCC) took a 3-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder Robert Kane, an RBI infield single by sophomore designated hitter Seth Eller, and a run-scoring fielder's choice by sophomore third baseman Jeff Stone. Eller successfully squeeze bunted a run in during the top of the fifth inning and junior shortstop Jordan Doherty added an RBI double as the Cougars lead grew to 5-0. Then, in the top of the sixth inning, MVNU closed out the scoring when senior first baseman Josh Roberts plated a run on a fielder's choice to make the final score 6-0. Freshman catcher Clint Spencer paced the offense by going 3-for-3 for the Cougars, while Roberts and Doherty added a pair of hits. Arick Armington had two of Goshen's five hits in the game. "I really thought we played a solid game," said MVNU coach Keith Veale. "Mike went after their hitters and threw a lot of strikes. We played good defense throughout the game. Offensively, we were opportunistic and we executed a couple bunts that opened up some scoring in a couple innings. It was a solid all around game for us." In the second game, it was the Maple Leafs turn to take the early lead as Goshen scored once in the bottom of the second inning and three times in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. MVNU took advantage of a pair of errors in the top of the fourth inning to score a run, and the Cougars closed the gap to 4-2 in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Roberts. Down to its last at bat, MVNU rallied to score four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 6-4 lead. Eller had a sacrifice fly to get things started, and Stone and freshman outfielder Jake Dickerson each added an RBI single. However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cougars were unable to close things out or even record an out for that matter as MVNU committed a pair of errors that helped allow Goshen to score three times and post a 7-6 walk-off victory. Junior right-hander Darren Athey started for the Cougars and lasted just 2.2 innings as he gave up seven hits, one walk, and four runs with one strikeout. Freshman lefty Cameron Juhasz tossed 2.1 scoreless innings to allow MVNU the chance to come back as he allowed just two hits and struck out three batters. Senior right-hander Jeff Estep (2-2) took the loss as he worked one-plus inning and surrendered three hits, two walks, and three runs. Matt Austin started and worked 5.1 innings and allowed three hits, three walks, and two runs with one strikeout. Paxson Miller tossed the final 1.2 innings and earned the win for the Maple Leafs despite giving up four hits and four runs. Stone and freshman outfielder Kenny McCambridge led the Cougars with two hits apiece, while Goshen was led by Zach Vanlandingham, who went 3-for-3. Jose Andrade, CJ Talley, and Josh Schlabach also collected two hits apiece for the Maple Leafs. "We had a difficult time staying disciplined at the plate against (Austin) who was a soft thrower and changed speeds a little," said Veale. "Darren got into trouble in the third inning and we found ourselves down early. We pecked away until the seventh inning when we scored four big runs and took the lead. Unfortunately, we broke down defensively in the bottom of the inning to allow them to put some hits together and get the win. As sharp as we were defensively in game one, we were probably as equally sloppy in game two. But, there is no time to hang our heads because the conference games keep coming." MVNU will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Cougars will host Goshen in another MCC doubleheader.

Site Map