Trojan News

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio - On Wednesday, May 22, the Presidents' Cup was presented to Trevecca Nazarene University Athletic Director Mark Elliott and Men's Golfer Stephen Williams during the G-MAC Spring Joint Council Meeting on the campus of Ursuline College.

One special feature of the G-MAC Presidents' Cup are the name plates which feature a QR Code to recognize each winner. Scan the QR code for this year's winner and it will take you directly to the TNU Presidents' Cup Championship page.

Presidents' Cup Recap:

2012-13 marked the inaugural year for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, featuring participation from five of its member institutions, as the remaining members transition from their current conferences into the G-MAC for 2013-14.

Following the completion of the 2013 Baseball Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, the G-MAC has named 12 Conference Championship, including Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Golf, Women's Tennis, Softball and Baseball.

Throughout the year, Cedarville University, Central State University, Trevecca Nazarene, Urbana University, and Ursuline College have been fighting to earn points through their performances at the G-MAC Championships toward the Presidents' Cup standings. Entering into the Baseball Championships, Cedarville University and Trevecca Nazarene University were tied atop of the Presidents' Cup standings.

As the 2012-13 year has proven, the Champions get crowned on final day of competition. It was no different when it came to the Presidents' Cup. Many of the regular-season championships, who were fighting to earn the top seed, came down to the final contest of the year. The top seed also turned out to be vitally important in this first G-MAC season, as only one top seed did not win its championship.

Luckily for Trevecca, the Baseball Championship was no different, as the Trojans claimed the top seed on the final game of the regular-season needing a doubleheader sweep over Cedarville. The Tournament itself also came down to Cedarville and Trevecca, with Trevecca needing to win the final two to take the title and claim the Presidents' Cup for the Trojans. When the dust settled, TNU earned the right to display the Presidents' Cup for the next year and be recognized as the G-MAC's first Presidents' Cup Champion in conference history.

Cedarville grabbed an early lead in the Presidents' Cup standings in the fall, winning the Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships, and the Women's Volleyball Championship, while finishing second in Men's Soccer. After the Fall season, Cedarville held a cup percentage of .833, while Trevecca Nazarene, who won the Women's Soccer Championship and finished second in Men's and Women's Cross Country and Women's Volleyball, ranked second at .722.

In the Winter, Cedarville won the Men's Basketball Championship over Trevecca, while Trevecca finished second in Women's Basketball, just ahead of third place Cedarville. The Spring brought Cedarville its fifth Championship, as the Yellow Jackets made a perfect run through Women's Tennis.

Trevecca need to win the other four Spring Championships in order to catch and pass Cedarville, and that's what it did with its four-straight Tournament Championship victories - Men's and Women's Golf, Baseball, and Softball, giving the Trojans five championships and a cup percentage of .825 to break the tie with Cedarville who dropped to .800 after finishing second in softball and baseball.

The only two championships won this year by an institution other than TNU and Cedarville was Urbana's Men's Soccer Tournament Championship as the top seed, and its Women's Basketball Tournament Championship as the tournament's #2 seed. The women's basketball championship was also the only championship in which a top-seed or favorite did not win the title.

With ten members and nine participating institutions in 2013-14, the G-MAC Presidents' Cup race will be a battle as TNU will look to repeat. The Trojans will have a lot of competition, not only from its opponents this season, but with the addition of Alderson-Broaddus, Davis and Elkins, Kentucky Wesleyan, Ohio Valley, and Salem International, the G-MAC will provide an even deeper and more talented road for whoever can prevail at the end and take control of the Presidents' Cup.

NASHVILLE – In December 2012 Trevecca partnered with Belmont University and Lipscomb University to create a new radio program on 102.5 the Game. The show, called City Colleges Sports Saturday, is hosted by 102.5 the Game morning show host Greg Pogue. The hour-long show covers three area colleges; Trevecca Nazarene University, Lipscomb University, and Belmont University. The show is also referred to the Saturday Morning B.L.T. (Belmont, Lipscomb, Trevecca).

The weekly show airs 8-9 a.m. each Saturday through the spring sports seasons. Each week the schools feature one coach or program at their university with each school getting a full segment of the hour long show.

On Saturday, May  25, 2013 Trevecca will feature athletic director Mark Elliott at 8:15 a.m. during Trevecca's segement of the hour-long (8-9 am) program.

You can listen over the air at 102.5 FM or online at http://1025thegame.com/

May 18, 2013 - Trevecca Alum Avery Patton - Listen to Patton Interview Archive

May 11, 2013 - Trevecca Baseball Assistant Brad Coon - Listen to Coon Interview Archive

May 4, 2013 - Trevecca SID and Broadcaster Greg Ruff - Listen to Ruff Interview Archive

April 27, 2013 - W Soccer Coach Mark Foster - Listen to Foster Interview Archive

April 20, 2013 - Golf Coaches Johnson/Wilson - Listen to Johnson/Wilson Interview Archive

April 13, 2013 - Baseball Coach Ryan Schmalz - Listen to Schmalz Interview Archive

April 6, 2013 - Softball Coach Ben Tyree - Listen to Tyree Interview Archive

March 23, 2013 - Men's Soccer Coach Danny Leavy - Listen to Leavy Interview Archive

March 16, 2013 - Athletic Trainer Jared White - Listen to White Interview Archive

March 9, 2013 - Coach Gary Van Atta - Listen to Van Atta Interview Archive

March 2, 2013 - Athletic Director Mark Elliott - Listen to Elliott Interview Archive

February 23, 2013 - Coach Robbie Wilson - LIsten to Wilson Interview Archive

February 16, 2013 - Coach Ben Tyree - Listen to Tyree Interview Archive

February 9, 2013 - Coach Ryan Schmalz - Listen to Schmalz Interview Archive

January 26, 2013 - Coach Jayme Crowley - Listen to Crowley Interview Archive

January 19, 2013 - Coach Brad Peterson - Listen to Peterson Inteview Archive

January 12, 2013 - Coach Michael Johnson - Listen: Johnson Interview Archive

January 5, 2013 - Coach Gary Van Atta - Listen: Van Atta Interview Archive

December 30, 2012 - Coach Sam Harris - Listen: Harris Interview Archive

December 22, 2012 - Coach Ryan Schmalz - Listen: Schmalz Interview Archive

December 15, 2012 - Dr. Dan Boone Listen: Boone Interview Archive

December 8, 2012 - Coach Brett Armstrong Listen: Armstrong Interview Archive

Trevecca has partnered with Ole Blomberg and Blomberg Family Dentistry, David and Josh Helton of GCA Services, Rodney and Rebecca Jarvis of Jarvis Sign Company, and Robert Butler of NSG Team Sports to participate in this radio program.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Trevecca baseball players Hunter Newman, Tyler Tichenor and Corey Crunk were selected to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-American Team this afternoon after their stellar performances on the diamond this past season.

Newman, a First-Team selection at third base, was one of the key components for the Trevecca offense. He led the Trojans with 19 doubles, batted .348, hit six homers, drove in a team-high 56 runs and scored 59 more.  Newman was also the NCCAA Mid-East Region Player of the Year along with being named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's Freshman of the Year.

Crunk garnered Second-Team honors at second base as he started every game this season (56) for Trevecca batting .332, collecting 68 hits and 38 RBI. Defensively, he was solid for TNU boasting a .959 fielding percentage. Crunk was also an NCCAA Mid-East Region and G-MAC All-Conference selection.

Rounding out Trevecca's All-American selections was Tichenor, a freshman outfielder. He led the Trojan offense with a .382 batting average, collected a team-high 78 hits and drove in 34. Tichenor was excellent along the bases stealing 25 bags. He was an NCCAA Mid-East Region selection and a G-MAC All-Conference selection as well.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) released its list of 2013 Division I Softball Scholar-Athletes, and four Trevecca softball players are among the 66 honored nationally.

Allison Gaddis, Natalie Papini, Devon Schmidt, and Heather Shuler all earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors this season.

For Papini this is her second year in a row to make the team. Papini and Shuler were named G-MAC All-Conference this year.  

Recipients must be at least a junior and have completed at least two terms at the institution, have a minimum cumulative 3.4 grade point average, must have participated in at least 50% of the season's competitions or five matches, whichever is less. The selection process is conducted by the respective National Sport Committee under the direction of its National Sport Chair.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The National Christian College Athletic Association released its 2013 All-Americans this weekend and three Trevecca softball players were honored.

Senior Breanna Zeis was named the NCCAA's Player of the Year and earned First-Team honors after leading the Trojan offense. She also won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's Player of the Year honor and was Co-Player of the Year in the NCCAA Mid-East Region. Zeis batted .508 this season, collected a team-hit 62 hits, 17 doubles, 12 home runs and drove in 48.

Joining Zeis was senior Aubrey Jordan and sophomore Lindsey Stephens. Both Jordan and Stephens were NCCAA Second-Team All-Americans. Jordan also made the G-MAC All-Conference team and the NCCAA Mid-East Region team while Stephens was an NCCAA Mid-East Region selection.

Jordan was second on the team with a .376 batting average, collecting 53 hits, scoring 40 runs and driving in 13 more. She also led Trevecca with 25 stolen bases. Stephens helped the Trojan offense batting .343 with 47 hits, 12 doubles, a pair of triples and 30 RBI. In the circle, Stephens posted a 9-4 record with a 3.17 ERA while striking out 53 batters.

NASHVILLE – Trevecca Nazarene (34-22) split two games in the NCCAA Mid-East Regional Saturday at Jackson Field defeating Covenant College (28-15) 15-5 before falling 6-5 to Campbellsville University (35-19).

The win by CU advances them to the NCCAA Baseball Championships next week (May 15-18) in Mason, Ohio while Trevecca hopes to receive an at-large bid.

GAME ONE

Needing to win to avoid elimination, Trevecca would erupt for eight runs in the bottom of the second to take command.

Down 4-0, Blake Rogers led off the inning with a solo home run and four batters later Trae Weiss flied out to center field scoring Corey Crunk who had singled earlier. Nick Howell drove in the next two runs with a triple to right center.  Mid-East Player of the Year Hunter Newman got in on the action with a two-run single pushing Trevecca's lead to 6-4. The scoring was capped off with a Crunk grounder that was mishandled at shortstop allowing two more runs to score.

TNU added three runs in the fourth to push its lead to 11-4. Crunk and Tyler Tichenor each had RBI singles and later Tichenor stole third and then advanced home after a throwing error by the Scots catcher.

Covenant added a run in the fifth as Sterling Witt tripled to right center scoring David Lockwood.

The Trojans would invoke the run rule in the bottom of the fifth with four more runs. Newman, Crunk and Tichenor each had RBI singles while Rogers connected with an RBI double.

Tichenor led the TNU offense going 4-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Rogers was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two more batted while Crunk was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and driven in. Mark Rayburn rounded out Trevecca's outstanding offensive performance with a  2-for-4 day and two runs scored.

Mason Dunn (3-3) picked up with win tossing 1.1 innings, allowing just a hit and one run while fanning two.

GAME TWO

Trevecca nearly rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh but a ground ball was turned into a double play by Campbellsville and the Tigers won 6-5.

There were just three total hits through the first three innings before Campbellsville scored four in the top of the fourth. With one out, Aaron Schwoebel singled down the right field line to load the bases. Carlos Torres followed with a fielder's choice to third plating a run. Angelo Simmons followed with an RBI single pushing CU's lead to 2-0. Travis Hayes closed the scoring with a two-run single up the middle.

The Trojans responded in fourth with two runs to cut the deficit in half. After a Rogers single, Tichenor came up two batters later and doubled to right field scoring Rogers. In the next at-bat, Tichenor would steal third and would then score after a throwing error by the Tigers catcher.

Campbellsville would push its lead to 6-2 in the fifth as Torres hit a two-out double to right center plating Brandon Johnson and Levi McCamish.

TNU added a run in the bottom of the fifth as Rogers grounded out to shortstop scoring Howell who had a double earlier in the inning.

Needing three runs to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, Trevecca would battle. TNU got a runner in scoring position as Rayburn struck out on a wild pitch that got behind CU's catcher allowing Rayburn to get to second. Newman followed in the next at-bat with a double bringing the score to 6-4. Rogers then singled up the middle scoring Newman which cut the deficit to one (6-5). The rally would fall short however as Crunk grounded to Tigers shortstop Hayes who helped turn a double play.

Tyler Schmunk picked up his second save of the season while Matt Robertson earned the win, his fourth, tossing 4.2 innings, scattering six hits and allowing two earned runs.

Johnson and Schwoebel led Campbellsville with a pair of hits while Torres drove in three runs.

Bryan Smith (4-2) took the loss for TNU tossing five innings, allowing eight hits, six runs (two earned) and striking out two.

Rogers drove in a team-high two runs on two hits while Howell, Tichenor and Newman collected multiple hits.

Trevecca will await and see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCCAA Baseball Championships schedule for May  15-18 in Mason, Ohio.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca baseball team is hosting the 2013 NCCAA Mid-East Regional at Jackson Field. The tournament begins Wednesday, May 8 and will conclude on Saturday, May 11. There are seven teams competing.

The Mid-East Tournament Champion will advance to the 2013 NCCAA Baseball Dl National Championship just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. The national champship is scheduled for May 15-18 at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
 
Click for more NCCAA National Championship information

All Mid-East tournament games will be broadcast with live video and audio.

Click for Live Media/Live Statistics

2013 NCCAA Mid-East Regional Bracket

Wednesday, May 8
Game 1:     4:00 p.m.    #5 Covenant College def. #4 Victory University (10-3)
Game 2:     7:00 p.m.    #3 Union University def. #6 Tennessee Temple University (7-3)

Thursday, May 9
Game 3:     10:00 a.m.   #2 Trevecca Nazarene University def. #7 Hiwassee College (13-3 - 6 inn.)
Game 4:     1:00 p.m.    #1 Campbellsville University def. #5 Covenant College (3-2)
Game 6:     4:00 p.m.    #6 Tennessee Temple def. #7 Hiwassee (6-5)

    Awards Ceremony

Game 5:     7:00 p.m.    #2 Trevecca def. #3 Union (14-12)

Friday, May 10

Game 7:     11:20 a.m.   #3 Union University def. #4 Victory University (6-3)
Game 8:     2:20 p.m.     #5 Covenant def. #6 Tennessee Temple (8-2)
Game 10:    4:45 p.m.   #5 Covenant def. #3 Union University (6-3)

Game 9:     7:15 p.m.     #1 Campbellsville def. #2 Trevecca (8-4)

Saturday, May 11
Game 11:     1:00 p.m.    #2 Trevecca def. #5 Covenant (15-5)
Game 12:     4:00 p.m.    #1 Campbellsville def. #2 Trevecca (6-5)
                    Championship Game

*2013 Mid-East Regional Champions - Campbellsville Tigers

Game 13:    7:00 p.m.    Game 12 Winner vs. Game 12 Loser
                    If Necessary Championship Game

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Simpson (Calif.) College (34-26) used a four-run sixth inning to eliminate Trevecca Nazarene (29-12) 5-0 Friday morning at the NCCAA Softball Championships at the Botetourt Softball Complex.

The Red Hawks scored all of their runs with two outs in the inning as they drew three bases-loaded walks and an RBI single from Noel Montes.

In the top of the first, Trevecca looked poised to gain the lead as Breanna Zeis, Kelsey Kemp and Shelby Andrews each singled with two outs. The opportunity to jump on top early would be denied though as Carlye Avey struck out Lacey Grimes.

Simpson was able to follow in the bottom of the inning with a run as Cheri DeJesus singled scoring Morgan Davis.

Over the next six innings, Trevecca would muster just five hits and put two runners into scoring position. Avey would induce a combined 13 groundouts/flyouts over that span.

In the bottom of the sixth, Aleisha Brown started the two-out rally with a single. In the next at-bat, Nicole Hutchins was walked scoring Taylor Hill.  The final run came as Chelsea Dunn was walked plating another Red Hawks runner.

Natalie Papini, in her final game with Trevecca, took the hard luck loss tossing 0.2 innings and allowing two hits and a run.

Shelby Andrews led the Trojans offense going 3-for-3.

It was also the final game for seniors Aubrey Jordan, Grimes and Zeis.

Trevecca finishes its season with a 29-12 mark and winners of the inaugural G-MAC regular season and conference titles.

NASHVILLE – Carlos Torres' two-out grand slam in the bottom of the first propelled Campbellsville University (34-19) to an 8-4 win over Trevecca Nazarene (33-21) Friday night in an NCCAA Mid-East Regional Tournament game at Jackson Field.

The win by the Tigers puts them into tomorrow's 4 p.m. championship game while the loss for the Trojans moves them into the loser's bracket against Covenant College (28-14) for a 1 p.m. start. TNU will have to win three games to advance to the NCCAA Baseball Championships next week.

WZTV Fox 17 Highlights

Tanner Nielsen and Michael Bush led off the first with a pair of singles and later advanced into scoring position after a wild pitch. TNU pitcher Austin Huibers then walked the next batter before striking out the Tigers' next two batters. Torres followed and took a 3-2 pitch and sent the ball over the left field wall.  

Trevecca responded with two runs in the top of the second as Blake Rogers homered to left field and a throwing error by the Tigers shortstop on a Trae Weiss grounder allowed Tyler Tichenor to score.

Campbellsville increased its lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the second as they scored on a wild pitch and passed ball.

The Trevecca offense wouldn't be able to muster much in the third through six innings as they collected just three hits.

In the fourth, the Tigers increased their lead to 8-2 as Aaron Schwoebel hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Torres hit an RBI triple to right center.

The Trojans would plate two runs in the top of the seventh to bring the score to 8-4 as Rogers hit a two-run double down the left field line. TNU had the bases loaded with two outs but Tichenor would line out to center field to end the game.

Patrick McMeel (6-2) tossed a complete game and allowed six hits and three earned runs. He also struck out a game-high seven batters.

Torres led CU with two hits and five RBI.

Rogers led Trevecca going 2-for-4 with a run scored and three driven in.

TNU will face Covenant tomorrow in an elimination game starting at 1 p.m. at Jackson Field.

NASHVILLE – The Trevecca baseball team (33-20) defeated Union University (12-33) 14-12 in an instant classic in the second round of the 2013 NCCAA Mid-East Regional. The win moves the Trojans to the winners bracket championship game on Friday at 7 p.m.

Trevecca will face top seeded Campbellsville University (33-19) with the right for berth into the Championship game on Saturday.

The Trojans are now winners in 12 of their last 15 games, including five in a row.

 Mid-East Regional Home Page

The game was full of ebbs and flows as each team made dramatic moves with big innings countering the others. The visiting Bulldogs started the roller coaster ride by scoring five runs in the top of the second.

Union's Hunter Smith singled up the middle before Kody Pinson doubled to left center. Catcher Zach Wylie singled to center field, driving in Smith. An out later Colton Speed singled to right field, scoring Pinson. The big blow came off the bat of Wacey Russell when he tripled to right field scoring Speed and Wylie. John Reed followed with a single, scoring Russell.

The Trojans cracked back with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning and tied the game with three in the third.

Trevecca's Hunter Newman, named the region player of the year before the game, led off the inning with a single to right field. Blake Rogers singled and advanced to second on an error. Corey Crunk singled to right field scoring Newman and moving Rogers to third. An out later Cameron Boyett singled to right field scoring Rogers.

In the Trevecca third, Mark Rayburn singled to left field with an out. Jordan Foreman singled, moving Rayburn to third. Newman hit a sac fly, scoring Rayburn. Rogers singled up the middle and Crunk walked to load the bases. Tyler Tichenor delivered a two-run single, scoring Rogers and Foreman.

The game remained tied until the fifth inning when the Bulldogs plated six runs for an 11-5 advantage.

Union's Reed singled to right center to open the six-run fifth inning. Jim Martin doubled before McAdams singled driving in Martin and Reed. Smith reached on a walk. Connor Haddock relieved Kuhn on the mound for Treveca. Pinson reached on an error. An out later Pierson Waring hit a grand slam home run. For a moment, it seemed the air had left the Trojan sails. 

In the Trevecca half of the fifth, the Trojans answered the call with six runs of their own, tying the game at 11-11 through five innings.

Newman walked and Rogers reached on a fielding before Crunk singled to load the bases with no one out. Tichenor hit an infield single driving in Newman. Boyett drove in another run with a sac fly. Cade Seeley followed with a two-out single that scored Tichenor and Crunk. Trae Bain relieved Bryan on the mound for UU and promptly walked Rayburn. Foreman doubled to right center, scoring Rayburn and Seeley.  

In the top of the sixth UU swayed the momentum back in their favor with a single runs and a 12-11 advantage.

After two were retired in the Union sixth, Smith singled down the left field line. Pinson doubled to left center driving in the go-ahead run.

It was Trevecca's turn again in the bottom of the sixth as the Trojans took the lead for the first time with three runs and a 14-12 lead.

Tichenor hit his second infield single to lead off the Trevecca sixth. Tichenor advanced to second on a balk. Boyett was next with a single and Cade Seeley reached on an RBI-bunt, which scored Tichenor. With the game tied at 11, Howell followed with another bunt single to load the bases. After Union turned a double play, Howell moved to second and Seeley advanced to third. It looked like the Bulldogs were going to get out of trouble as they brought in Benjie Fesmire in relief of Bain. But Foreman greeted Fesmire with two-run single that scored Howell and Seeley, giving the Trojans their first lead of the game.

Ryne Rayburn came on for a perfect top of the seventh and earned his fourth save of the year. The senior capped it off with a pair of strikeouts, including strike out for the final out of the game.

Trevecca scored 14 runs on 17 hits and had one error. Union scored 12 runs on 14 hits and had three errors.

Foreman was 3-for-4 with a run scored, a double, and four RBI. Tichenor was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Seeley was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and three RBI.  

Connor Haddock picked up the win and is now 6-0 on the year.

Trevecca will now host Campbellsville for the winner's bracket championship game at 7 p.m. on Friday. All are welcome to attend, but those out of town can watch or listen online Live Media/Stats

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Central Baptist (35-10) (Ark.) scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th to defeat the Trevecca Nazarene (29-11) softball team 5-4 in an NCCAA Softball Championship game Thursday afternoon at the Botetourt Softball Complex.

The loss snapped a 12-game winning streak for TNU. 

Trevecca struck in the top of the first as Breanna Zeis socked her 12th homer of the year over the center field fence.

Central Baptist then responded with four runs in the bottom of the second.  Peyton Jenkins started the scoring with an RBI double and three batters later Samantha Luther was hit-by-pitch allowing the runner from third to score. Christen Kirchner's two-run double capped off the inning for CBC.

The Trojans would climb back though to tie the game.  It started in the fourth as Lacey Grimes was issued a bases-loaded walk bringing the score to 4-2.

Grimes would lay down a sacrifice bunt in the sixth scoring Kelsey Kemp pulling the game to within one run (4-3).

TNU would then tie the game in the top of the seventh as Lindsey Stephens singled to second scoring Aubrey Jordan.

As the game went into extra innings, only a pair of Mustang runners would get into scoring position as Kemp struck out three in innings eight through ten. Zeis would be the only base runner for Trevecca with her single in the 10th.

Trevecca had an opportunity to gain its seciond lead of the game in the 11th. With one out, Heather Shuler reached on a throwing error from CBC that moved Grimes to third. The Trojans would then have the bases loaded after a walk was issued, however, Mustangs pitcher Jessica Sheldon would strike out a batter and a grounder from Jordan was fielded at second and the runner was thrown out a home to end the threat.

The Mustangs would capture victory in the 11th. Kirchner grounded out moving two runners into scoring position with two outs. In the next at-bat a wild pitch would score Raeann Surrett from third ending the game.

Kemp (11-3) took the loss tossing 3.2 innings, striking out three and scattering two hits. The Trojan staff (Kemp, Lindsey Stephens) allowed just five hits to Central Baptist and struck out 11.

Mackenzie Leding, Zeis, Jordan and Kemp each collected multiple hits for TNU.

Trevecca will play Simpson University (34-27) May 10 at 12 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Mid-East Region has announced its 2013 All-Region team. Trevecca placed three players on the first team and four more made the honorable mention team. Trevecca freshman Hunter Newman is the Mid-East Region Player of the Year.

The team consists of 15 players selected by a ballot of the NCCAA Mid-East Region baseball coaches, and it is made up of 15 players. Newman, with the player of the year honor, earns a spot on the NCCAA All-America team.
 
Campbellsville University (Ky.) had two of the four All-Region starting pitchers, with Patrick McMeel and his teammate Matt Robertson were joined on the starting staff by Micah Mabe of Covenant College (Ga.) and Tennessee Temple University's Dylan Massengill. Allen Hewey of Campbellsville was named the All-Region Relief Pitcher to round out the team's pitching staff.
 
Campbellsville was also represented twice on the infield, with Keaton Neeb (C) and Tanner Nielsen (SS) bringing the Tigers' total to five players honored on the All-Region Team - the most of an Mid-East region school. Trevecca was second on the list with four honorees, the first of which were Corey Crunk (2B) and Hewman (3B) on the infield. The Trojans also had Cameron Boyett (DH) and Tyler Tichenor (OF) honored on the team.
 
Joseph Blair of Mid-Continent University (Ky.) was the second catcher on the All-Region team, Jim Martin of Union University (Tenn.) was named the All-Region First Baseman, and Kent Voorhies of Victory University  (Tenn.) was named to the team as an extra infielder. The other three outfield honorees were Victory's Ben Machado, Covenant's Scott Gillespie, and Hunter Bolden of Mid-Continent. Below is the list of all of the honorees, both All-Region and Honorable Mention.
 
2013 NCCAA MID-EAST ALL-REGION TEAM
 
SP - Patrick McMeel (Campbellsville)
SP - Matt Robertson (Campbellsville)
SP - Micah Mabe (Covenant)
SP - Dylan Massengill (Tennessee Temple)
RP - Allen Hewey (Campbellsville)
1B - Jim Martin (Union)
2B - Corey Crunk (Trevecca)
SS - Tanner Nielsen (Campbellsville)
3B - Hunter Newman (Trevecca) - Player of the Year
INF - Kent Voorhies (Victory)
OF - Ben Machado (Victory)
OF - Tyler Tichenor (Trevecca)
OF - Hunter Bolden (Mid-Continent)
OF - Scott Gillespie (Covenant)

2013 NCCAA MID-EAST REGION HONORABLE MENTION:
Alhanon Miller (Covenant)
Connor Haddock (Trevecca)
Chris Large (Hiwassee College)
Shaw Dickerson (Victory)
Dylan Kuhn (Trevecca)
Michael Bush (Campbellsville)
Will Cleland (Covenant)
Richard Arias (Mid-Continent)
David Lockwood (Covenant)
Blake Rogers (Trevecca)
Jordan Foreman (Trevecca)
AaronPearson (Victory)

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Kelsey Kemp's RBI single in the sixth and outstanding performance in the circle tossing a complete game with six strikeouts led the Trevecca Nazarene (29-10) softball team to a 2-1 victory over Geneva College (22-19) Thursday afternoon in the NCCAA Softball Championships at the Botetourt Softball Complex.

The Trojans have now won 12 in a row and 17-of-their-last-18 games.

Kemp's game-winning hit in the sixth came on a 0-1 count which cleared to right field scoring Lindsey Stephens who led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch.

Geneva took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the first as Leah Prisuta scored on a wild pitch. It would be the only run of the game for the Golden Tornadoes.

Kemp would allow just two Geneva players to reach scoring position the rest of the way.

Trevecca tied the game in the third inning. Kemp led off with a triple and in the next at-bat, she would score on a wild pitch.

The Golden Tornadoes came back in the third and put a runner in scoring position after a Laura Beck hit to right field. But the inning would end as Kemp struck out Samantha Johnson.

After Trevecca took the lead in the top of the seventh, Geneva had one more opportunity to tie the game. With two outs, Elyssa Simko singled but Kemp would end the game inducing a popout to shortstop.

Kemp (12-2) allowed four hits and one run to Geneva. Offensively, Aubrey Jordan went 3-for-4 while Lacey Grimes collected a hit as well.

Trevecca, the No. 10 seed, will face No. 2 seed Central Baptist College (34-10) at 4:30 p.m. later today.

NASHVILLE – The Trevecca baseball team (32-20) advanced in the NCCAA Mid-East Regional, being played at Trevecca's Jackson Field, with a 13-3 win over Hiwassee College (19-26) on Thursday. Trevecca advances to Thursday's second round when they'll play Union University (12-32) under the lights at 7 p.m.

Mid-East Regional Home Page

WZTV Fox 17 Highlights

The Trojans have won 11 out of their last 14 games, including the last four in a row.

The Tigers jumped on the Trojans in the top of the first with three runs, but Trevecca bounced back with four of their own in the bottom of the first for a 4-3 edged after one. Trevecca added three in the second and one in the third for a 8-3 lead. The TNU advantage surged to nine runs with four more in the fifth and the game was called when the Trojans went ahead by 10 runs in the sixth.

HC scored three runs on seven hits and had two fielding miscues while TNU scored their 13 runs on 13 hits without any errors.

Alex Shoulders (2-1) started on the mound and after the tough top of the first, shut down the Tigers the rest of the way for the complete game victory. Shoulders gave up seven hits and five walks while striking out two. All three runs he allowed were earned.  

Trevecca tallied multiple extra base hits. Nick Howell and Hunter Newman delivered doubles. Blake Rogers had a triple and a two-run home run. Rogers added a stolen base along with Corey Crunk. Mark Rayburn had three walks and was 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Rogers was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, a walk, and four RBI. Crunk was 2-for3 with three RBI, a walk, and a run scored.

Trevecca will rest up for their night game with Union at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend, but those out of town can watch or listen online Live Media/Stats

TROUTVILLE, Va. - The Trevecca softball team (28-10) is the tenth seed at the 2012 NCCAA Softball National Championships. The ten-team double elimination tournament begins on Thursday, May 9 and will conclude with the championship on Saturday, May 11.

The games will take place at the Botetourt Sports Complex. Trevecca will play seventh-seeded Geneva College (22-18) at 11 a.m. Thursday. All games will have live video and statistics available.

Trevecca enters the tournament on a 12-game winning streak and have won 16 out of their last 17 games. 

Nashville City Paper NCCAA Preview l Jerome Boettcher

Tennessean Feature on TNU Softball Championship

NCCAA Softball Championships Home Page

For live stats, webstreaming, results, and other info visit the Championship Link

Download Championship Bracket *PDF
Download Championship Schedule *PDF 

NASHVILLE – Strong pitching early on and late-inning hitting lifted the Trevecca Nazarene (31-20) Trojans to a 10-7 victory over Cedarville University (26-16) in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Championship Wednesday afternoon at Jackson Field.

It's the seventh conference tournament title in Trevecca history. The win also secures the Presidents' Cup for TNU in the first year of the G-MAC.

The top-seeded Trojans got the first lead of the game in the bottom of the first as the G-MAC Freshman of the Year connected with a two-out single scoring Mark Rayburn.

Cedarville tied the game in the third as Cam McWilliams grounded out to second plating Steve Cardwell.

After Trevecca stranded two runners in the third, Ryan Ledbetter would single in the fourth driving in Chris Ward to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 lead. It would be the only lead of the game for CU.

The Yellow Jackets nearly increased its lead in the fifth with two runners in scoring position. But Trevecca pitcher Dakota Angell induced a groundout to shortstop eliminating the threat.

Angell (2-5) tossed seven innings, his longest outing of the season, scattered seven hits, allowed just two runs and induced a combined 17 groundouts/flyouts.

After Newman hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth tying the game at 2-2, Trevecca would plate three in the sixth to take the lead for good. With two outs, Trae Weiss and Nick Howell were walked which loaded the bases. In the next at-bat, Rayburn swung on the first pitch, popped it up just past first base, and it dropped to the ground scoring two. Jordan Foreman rounded out the inning with an RBI single that brought the score to 5-2, Trevecca.

TNU erupted for four more runs in the seventh to push its lead to 9-2. Three straight singles to start the inning loaded the bases. Cameron Boyett followed with a hit scoring Rogers. In the next at-bat Weiss was issued a walk scoring Crunk. Howell capped off the scoring with a two-run single down the left field line.

Cedarville made it interesting in the ninth as David Lenhardt and Chris Fox each had run-scoring hits. CU's final score came on a Cardwell RBI double before Zach Huskey flied out to left field with two runners on to end the game.

Boyett led the Trojan offense with three hits while also driving in a run and scoring another. Howell, Rayburn and Newman each drove in two.

Trevecca, the No. 2 seed, will have a quick turnaround as they compete in the NCCAA Mid-East Regional (Click) May 9 against No. 7 seed Hiwassee College. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.  

NASHVILLE – Jordan Foreman helped lead Trevecca (30-20) to a 12-7 win over Cedarville (26-15) Tuesday afternoon in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Championship series at Jackson Field.

The win by the Trojans sets up a winner-take-all title game tomorrow against the Yellow Jackets starting at 11 a.m.

Trevecca jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Foreman and Hunter Newman collected RBI doubles.

Cedarville got on the board for its first run in the third inning as Logan Kasabian crossed home plate after a fielding error at shortstop.

The Yellow Jackets took a 3-2 lead in the fourth as Chris Ward and David Lenhardt had run-scoring hits.

TNU would then tie the game up in the fifth as Blake Rogers singled to shortstop scoring Foreman.

With the contest tied at three, the top-seeded Trojans would score three runs in the top of the sixth giving them a lead they would never relinquish.

After Trae Weiss walked and Nick Howell singled, Mark Rayburn would single to left center giving TNU a 4-3 advantage. Foreman followed in the next at-bat and connected with a two-run single to left field pushing Trevecca's lead to 6-3.

Each team added a run in the seventh and in the eighth Rogers would hit a two-run single pushing TNU's lead to 9-4.

Cedarville plated two runs in the eighth as Chris Fox and Zach Huskey were issued bases-loaded walks which brought the score to 9-6.

Trevecca responded in the ninth with three runs to put the game away for good. Tyler Tichenor scored on a wild pitch and Howell followed in the next at-bat with an RBI double to right field. Newman rounded out the scoring with a run-scoring double to left field.

Foreman led the Trojans' offense going 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Cameron Boyett went 3-for-4 with one RBI and another run scored while Rogers was 3-for-6 with three RBI. Five Trojan batters collected multiple hits.

Codi Webb (3-1) picked up the win tossing 3.2 innings, allowing two hits and three runs. Ryne Raburn earned his third save of the year tossing the final 1.1 innings allowing a hit and a run.

The inaugural G-MAC Baseball Tournament title game will begin tomorrow (May 8) at 11 a.m. Live coverage can be found here.

NASHVILLE—Trevecca Nazarene (29-20) downed Urbana University (22-19) 6-5 in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament elimination game Tuesday afternoon at Jackson Field.

The win by the Trojans advances them to the G-MAC Championship against Cedarville. The Yellow Jackets need just one win over Trevecca to capture the inaugural conference title.

Urbana took the first lead of the game in the second as Jordan Pergrem singled up the middle plating Colt Turley who led off the frame with a single.

The Blue Knights pushed their lead to 3-0 in the third as Greg Liming delivered a sacrifice fly to right field and Turley singled to plate Jose Vargas.

Trevecca got on the board in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2.  Hunter Newman singled to start the inning and four batters later Tyler Tichenor singled to shortstop giving TNU its first run of the game. The Trojans' next run came as Cameron Boyett grounded into a double play scoring Blake Rogers.

TNU would tie the game in the fifth as Nick Howell scored from third after Urbana's catcher made a throwing error in an attempt to throw out Newman who was stealing second.

Rogers would lead off the sixth with a home run to left field giving the Trojans their first lead of the game.

Urbana would tie the game (4-4) in the bottom of the sixth as Taylor Nehls grounded out to shortstop scoring Cody Ridinger who started the inning with a double.

Corey Crunk would give Trevecca another lead (5-4) after he was issued a bases-loaded walk in the seventh. In the next inning, Mark Rayburn pushed Trevecca's lead to 6-4 with his RBI double down the left field line plating Cade Seeley.

Urbana would threaten in the eighth to regain the lead. After Drew Ryan doubled scoring Ridinger, Vargas would ground to Newman at third and the attempt to score from Nehls would be denied with a throw to home plate. Ryne Rayburn would then end the scoring threat from UU inducing a groundout from Robert Tavone Jr.

In the bottom of the ninth down 6-5, Urbana would threat again. The Blue Knights loaded the bases with just one out and appeared primed to at least tie the game. Ryne Rayburn would deny them striking out Pergrem and inducing a force out at second to end the game.

Ryne Raburn picked up the save (2) for Trevecca while Jeff Beall (1-2) took the loss for UU. Mark Rayburn and Tichenor led the Trojan offense with a pair of hits.

Trevecca advances to face Cedarville (26-14) in the conference championship starting at 3:30.

NASHVILLE – Cedarville (26-14) rallied to defeat Trevecca Nazarene (28-20) in the ninth inning to advance to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Championship with its 6-5 win at Jackson Field Monday night.

Trevecca has gone from the top seed to a team needing to win three games in a row to claim the G-MAC title. Trevecca will need to defeat Urbana on Tuesday in a game that starts at Noon. If Trevecca can defeat the Blue Knights, they will need to defeat Cedarville twice. First, they would face the Yellow Jackets in a 3:30 p.m. game on Tuesday. A TNU win would force the if necessary game at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. A tall task, but similar to the Trojans effort last weekend in Cedarville when the Trojans had to defeat CU three of four games to win the conference title. 

Trailing 5-4 heading to the ninth inning, the Yellow Jackets got things going with back-to-back hits from Chris Ward and David Lenhardt.  After a wild pitch from Mason Dunn moved those runners into scoring position, David Ledbetter grounded out to second plating Ward. Two batters later Steve Cardwell would be issued a walk with the bases loaded to give CU a 6-5 lead they would never relinquish.

The Trojans took the first lead of the game in the second as Tyler Tichenor, an All-Conference selection for TNU, grounded into a fielder's choice scoring Hunter Newman who started the inning with a double to right center.

Trevecca pushed its lead to 2-0 in the fourth as Corey Crunk singled scoring Blake Rogers.

TNU would continue its scoring efforts in the fifth. With Cameron Boyett and Nick Howell in scoring position, Jordan Foreman singled to left field plating two and pushing Trevecca's lead to 4-0.

Cedarville would rally in the sixth to cut the score to 4-3.  A fielding error at first allowed Ward to score from third. In the next at-bat, Ryan Ledbetter grounded out to shortstop scoring Lenhardt. Cardwell capped off the scoring with a two-out single to right center plating another Yellow Jackets run.

After CU tied the game in the eighth on a Cam McWilliams RBI single, the Trojans would come back up to bat.  Tichenor led off the home half of the inning with a double followed by a Trae Weiss bunt single. After Howell was walked which loaded the bases, Mark Rayburn would be issued a walk as well to give TNU a 5-4 lead. Cedarville's Sean Larkin would get out of the jam as he induced a popout from Foreman and a line out from Newman.

The Yellow Jackets would capture the lead in the ninth and hold on as Larkin would issue just one walk and retire the other Trojan batters.

Larkin (5-1) tossed the final five innings for CU and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six.

David Lenhardt, Ward and Cardwell led the Yellow Jacket offense with multiple with while Cardwell drove in a team-high two runs.

Dunn (2-3) took the loss for Trevecca tossing the final inning allowing two hits and two earned runs.

Rogers and Crunk led the Trojans each totaling two hits while Foreman drove in a team-high two runs.

Trevecca will face Urbana University (22-18) tomorrow in an elimination game starting at 12 p.m. at Jackson Field. In eight games between the two teams this season, both teams have won four apiece.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Great Midwest Athletic Conference released its 2013 All-Conference selections this afternoon and seven Trojans were honored. Trevecca coach Ryan Schmalz and freshman third baseman Hunter Newman took home two of the four major awards earning Coach of the Year and Freshman Player of the Year, respectively.

The honors come after Trevecca went 28-19 during the regular season and captured the inaugural G-MAC Regular Season title after winning three-of-four-games at Cedarville April 26-27.

Newman ranked at or near the top of every conference offensive category after the conclusion of the regular season.  He was first in RBI (45), runs scored (50) and total bases (89), second in home runs (6), third in hits (58) and tenth in batting average (.341). Joining him along the infield was second baseman Corey Crunk.  The senior from Murfreesboro finished fourth in hits (55) and was tied for the conference lead with three triples.

Jordan Foreman and Tyler Tichenor were selected as All-Conference outfielders. Foreman was third in the G-MAC with 15 doubles and eighth in batting average (.360). Tichenor, the speedy freshman, was second in hits (63), third with 23 stolen bases and fifth in batting average (.375).

Freshman Cameron Boyett earned All-Conference accolades for his play at the designated hitter spot. In 23 games played, he batted .324 with 24 hits, three doubles while driving in 16.

Pitchers Rob Rowland and Connor Haddock rounded out TNU's All-Conference selections. Rowland was tied for second in the conference with 56.0 innings pitched, tied for third in wins (5) and fifth in opponents' batting average (.284). Haddock finished tied for third with five wins, was seventh in innings pitched (47.2) and strikeouts (39) and seventh in opponents' batting average (.292).