Mount Vernon Nazarene softball coach Jeana Howland was happy with the way the team played in what was a third-place season. She said the the team excelled offensively and on the mound, but she was just as pleased with the way her players performed in the classroom.
“We had a very successful year on and off the field,” Howland said. “The team's overall grade point average was 3.71. Being a collegiate athlete requires a tremendous amount of commitment, not only to your sport, but also to your academics."
The Cougars ended the season with a 33-16 record and were 23-13 in conference play. They finished third in NAIA Crossroads League play behind Marian University and Indiana Wesleyan.
Mount Vernon Nazarene had a great run that ultimately ended in the semifinals of the Crossroads League Tournament on May 6. Mount Vernon Nazarene was the favorite as the No. 3 seed against No. 8 Taylor, but Taylor had been mounting upsets throughout the tournament, and embraced its underdog role en route to the 4-1 win.
Howland said, looking back on the season, one of the top moments was when the Cougars swept Indiana Wesleyan on the road in an early-season double header, 2-1 and 7-5. At that point in the season, Indiana Wesleyan was ranked sixth in the nation.
This season, seniors Macee Marcum, Megan Pentz, Kylee Pettit and Kaycee Ollis set the mark high for their teammates. Howland said they were a strong influence on the program over the past four years, especially after starting their careers with a season shortened by COVID-19. Howland had high praise for the Cougars for the success they had playing as a team.
“Individually we had several postseason awards,” Howland said. “I think I am most proud of how the team really worked hard, played together and were really present for each other. We spent a great deal of time together on the field, road trips, community projects and dinners etc. I feel our program is always striving to get better in all areas of our lives."
The Cougars were scorching at the plate with a .356 team batting average to go with a .403 on base percentage, .494 slugging percentage, 352 runs scored and 25 home runs. The team’s pitching staff was also on-point, with eight shutouts and a team ERA of 2.72, while allowing opposing hitters a .245 batting average.
Team honors
Mount Vernon Nazarene was well-represented in the All-Region teams, with two members on the first team and one on second team for Region V.
First teamers were Marcum and Pettit. Marcum was tied for first in the conference with 52 RBIs on the season. The senior shortstop hit. 445, second in the Crossroads League. She also belted six homers and an on base percentage of .486. She was also third in the conference both runs (45) and hits (73), and fourth in slugging at .665.
Senior outfielder Pettit hit .412 last season, good for fourth in the Crossroads League. She was tied for first with 61 runs and second with 77 hits, while stealing 18 bases. Pettit was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team for NAIA. She graduated with a GPA of 3.77 and received a degree in biology. Pettit also was named to the Gold Glove team this season.
Ollis made second team after hitting .329 with three homers, 16 doubles, 38 RBIs, 28 runs and 48 hits.
Named to the Academic-All District team were Pettit, junior infielder Mackenzie Hancock, junior outfielder Mallory Shoup, sophomore pitcher Nadia Hoffman and junior pitcher Sheridan Sullivan. Hancock hit .359 with one homer, two triples, 17 RBIs and 17 runs. Shoup hit .383 with 51 hits, four doubles and 18 RBIs in 48 games.
Other top performers
Sophomore Mollie Pentz also put together a quality season with a .379 batting average, one home run, two triples, 23 RBIs and 39 runs. Megan Pentz hit .295 with 19 RBIs and 16 walks on the season.
Freshman Kiera Mayer showed some power with five homers, 15 doubles and 34 RBIs while hitting .294 on the year. Fellow freshman Paige Ogden also showed some pop with three homers and 17 RBIs in 26 games and 54 at bats.