MVNU Grabs Win from No. 6 Marian in Doubleheader
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (6-2, 1-1 CL) opened Crossroads League play with a split against No. 6 Marian University (7-2, 1-1 CL) in the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games on Friday, March 6.
MVNU jumped on the Knights early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Skylar Zimmerman started the rally with a single to center field, followed by a hit from Dakota Staffan. Avery Miller then singled to drive in Zimmerman for the game's first run. Kiera Mayer followed with a double to left field and advanced to third on the play, allowing Staffan to score and give the Lady Cougars a quick 2–0 lead.
The Lady Cougars added another run at the bottom of the third. Staffan and Miller both reached with singles before Mayer lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that brought in the run and pushed the lead to 3–0.
Bailey Sheets later doubled to left field, and Camden Laymon followed with an RBI single to left. Jesenia Montalvo then singled to center field to drive in another run, extending the Lady Cougars' advantage.
MVNU's bats quieted down late, and Marian managed to push across a run in the top of the sixth inning. Staffan closed the door in the seventh to secure the win, allowing just five hits and one run. The Lady Cougars upset the No. 6 Knights with a 5–1 victory.
In the second game, Marian struck first in the top of the first inning with a leadoff triple that later came around to score, giving the Knights a 1–0 lead. Marian added runs in both the third and fourth innings to extend the advantage to 3–0. In the bottom of the seventh, Taryn Craven delivered a key hit, roping a double to left center that scored Mayer for the Lady Cougars' only run of the game. The Lady Cougars ultimately fell to the Knights by a final score of 4–1.
What's Next
MVNU softball will play two more games in the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games against No. 6 Madonna University at 2:30 p.m. and Florida National University at 4:45 p.m. in the White Complex on Saturday, March 7.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.