Cruz McFadden sets all-time NAIA saves record

History was made for Cruz McFadden of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team (21-21, 17-15) against Goshen College (12-32, 7-25) on Saturday, April 20.

McFadden's historic day started in the first game against the Maple Leafs. Entering the doubleheader, McFadden — a former Paint Valley standout — was one save away from tying the all-time saves record of 44 career saves set by Phillip Kish of Southeastern (2011-13). MVNU got a 14-11 win, and McFadden ended up getting the three-inning save for the Cougars to tie the record. 

McFadden had five strikeouts in game one of the doubleheader. The offense was clicking once again for the Cougars as they finished with 15 hits. Kaid Carpenter and Joe Poremsky each hit one over the fence for MVNU and combined for four hits and four RBI. Zackary Hoop had a three-hit day to go with his three RBI. Rider Minnick, Johnny Nixon and Casey Kalman each drove in two runs. Cole Schreck got the win after pitching four innings of relief. Reese Willoughby got the start and pitched two innings of hitless baseball while also striking out two.

After tying the record to share a piece of history, McFadden picked up save 45 to put his name atop the record books all by itself. With his team holding an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the seventh, McFadden came in and got the final two outs to close the door on Goshen. 

The record-setting save was McFadden's sixth of the season. 

Ryan Willoughby got the win after 2.2 innings of relief. He allowed one hit and zero runs to go with four strikeouts. Offensively, Brady Lester hit his ninth homer of the season and finished with two RBI. Minnick and Kalman batted in two runs each in the win.
 
MVNU baseball will close its regular season with a four-game set against the University of Saint Francis on April 25-26 at Cougar Field. Each day will begin at 2 p.m.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, 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 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.

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