The Crossroads League office announced its 2022 baseball league honors on Thursday, May 12. The Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team had six members receive honors for their performances throughout the season.
Senior Andrew Miller received All-Crossroads League first team honors for his efforts in the 2022 season. The shortstop led the team in batting average (.365) and home runs (12). He also drove in 48 RBIs, scored 67 runs and stole 13 bases while being a defensive stalwart at short.
Sophomore closer Cruz McFadden was also named to the All-Crossroads League first team. The right-hander threw 29.0 innings, finished with a 2-0 record and had an NAIA-leading 15 saves. He posted a 3.10 ERA and struck out 34 batters while allowing only 27 hits and seven walks.
Leading Cougar CL second-team honorees was freshman pitcher Jarin Bertke. The right-hander had a great freshman campaign, posting a 7-1 record and 3.13 ERA while picking up 43 strikeouts in 54.2 innings pitched.
Senior Jake Glover was an All-Crossroads League second team recipient as he led the MVNU team in runs batted in (56). The first basemen also hit 11 homers and 16 doubles on the season while slashing .278/.433/.540 from the left-handed batter’s box. Glover also earned recognition from CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) as a member of the 2021‐22 Academic All‐District baseball team. The honor calls out the nation’s top student‐athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. After completing his undergrad in sports management, Glover is working his way toward his MBA in 2022. He boasts a 3.83 GPA.
Zackary Hoop received a spot on the Crossroads League Gold Glove team due to his excellent play in the field at second base. Hoop finished with 98 assists in the field and 79 putouts and helped turn 20 double plays. Hoop had a fielding percentage of .952 in 2022.
The players were joined by coach Keith Veale, as he was named the Crossroads League Coach of the Year. Veale, in his 33rd season with the Cougars, led the team to a 37-17 record and a regular season Crossroads League title. Veale also reached a large milestone in his career this season, earning his 1,100th career coaching win on April 29 against Huntington University. Overall for his career, Veale boasts a record of 1,105-568. MVNU’s 30-plus win season in 2022 marks the 25th time that MVNU has won 30 or more games in a season with Veale at the helm.
Joining Glover, MVNU softball players Kylee Matern and Kaycee Ollis also earned spots the CoSIDA Academic All-District 1 team on Thursday, May 12. Matern put together a great season. The junior finished fifth in the Crossroads League in average (.414) and led MVNU with 79 hits. Matern was a threat on the bases as well, accumulating 22 stolen bases on the year. The center fielder is majoring in biology (pre-physician) and finished the academic year with a 3.77 GPA. Ollis, a junior catcher, led the team in batting average (.428), RBIs (56) and home runs (12). Ollis is majoring in exercise science and completed the academic year with a GPA of 3.37.
