GAMBIER, Ohio – Facing an opponent just down the road, the Kenyon College baseball team dropped a non conference matchup Tuesday afternoon, falling 7-2 to Mount Vernon Nazarene University at home.
With the loss, the Owls slipped to 11-17 overall, while the Cougars snapped a three-game skid and improved to 20-22 on the season.
Both teams were quiet through the opening two innings before Mount Vernon Nazarene broke the game open in the top of the third. After a pair of bunt singles set the table, Carter LaPata roped a double down the left-field line to plate the game's first run. Moments later, Rider Minnick followed with a two-run double to center field, stretching the Cougar lead to 3-0. Ryan Willoughby added an RBI single and Kaid Carpenter capped the rally with a run-scoring double, completing a five-run inning that put the visitors firmly in control.
Kenyon threatened earlier in the second inning when
Niko Price and
Otto McDill delivered back-to-back singles to put two runners aboard with no outs. A sacrifice bunt from
Matt Ardell advanced both runners into scoring position, but the Owls were unable to push a run across as the Cougars escaped the jam.
The Owls finally broke through in the eighth inning.
Aaron Moss worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on
Tyler Nee's single to right center.
Niko Price then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Moss home and cutting the deficit to 5-1.
The Cougars responded immediately in the top of the ninth when Minnick launched a two-run home run to right field, extending the lead to 7-1.
KC answered with a final spark in the bottom half of the inning as
Ben Russell crushed a solo home run to center field for the Owls' second run of the day. Russell finished with a strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
Tyler Nee added two hits, while
Gio Giuliani, Price, and McDill also recorded hits for Kenyon.
On the mound,
Isaiah Vance took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits across 2.1 innings. The Kenyon bullpen of
Jack Enger,
Jack Briscoe,
Andrew Catron, and
Griffin Jackson combined to cover the remaining frames and limit the Cougars to two additional runs. MVNU starter Tyler Barton earned the win, keeping Kenyon's lineup in check throughout his seven-inning outing, scattering six hits and holding the Owls scoreless while striking out two.
Up next, the Owls return to conference play Saturday as they host Wabash College for Senior Day. First pitch of the doubleheader at McBride Field is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
