LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team concluded its spring trip with a 6-3 loss to No. 24 Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the 30th annual Warner University Invitational on Saturday.
The setback dropped the Cougars to 7-4 on the season while Mount Vernon Nazarene improved to 4-1 overall.
After two scoreless innings to begin the game, Spring Arbor broke the deadlock with three runs in the top half of the third. With runners at first and third, and nobody out, senior Tyler Baker laced a single to right field to drive in Chris Wegrzyn. One batter later, with the bases loaded, sophomore Christian Davis drew walk allowing Mitchel Patterson to score, and freshman Conner Lengerich capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.
Sophomore pitcher Brody Harris shut down 24th-ranked Mount Vernon Nazarene through the first three innings, but MVNU was finally able to get to the left-hander in the fourth. After giving up a lead-off double, Harris retired the next two hitters, but a two-out single would cut the SAU lead to two, 3-1.
Mount Vernon Nazarene was not done, though, plating five runs in the fifth inning. Efrain Montero delivered the big blow, doubling to center with the bases loaded to give MVNU the lead for good.
Spring Arbor recorded just three hits on after day – all coming in the third inning. Harris surrendered one run on six hits in four innings of work while fanning three batters. Sophomore Robert Cleary added 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while striking out two.
Up next, the Cougars will jump into Crossroads League play when they visit Bethel College on Thursday, Mar. 19. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
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