The 2012 Spring Arbor University (SAU) baseball team began the season with a 15-0 record.

In the final game of this streak, pitcher Dane Staples threw a no-hitter in game two of a doubleheader against Mount Mary College during the team’s trip to Florida.

“It’s the best start SAU has ever had,” said catcher Nic Johnston.

The Cougars are no longer ranked, but they began the season ranked ninth in the country.

Their streak ended when they lost their first game at home against Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) 2-3 but split the home stand, winning game two. For the rest of March, they split a series away at IWU, won the home and away series against Bethel College, defeated Mount Vernon Nazarene College (MVNC) at home and split the away series with MVNC, ending a six game winning streak.

To begin the month of April, the Cougars defeated Taylor University at home in extra innings, awarding head coach Sam Riggleman with the 900th win of his coaching career. They split the series and then lost the next two games against Taylor.

“Everyone’s playing really well now. We were cold there for awhile,” said Johnston.

The Cougars are currently on a seven game winning streak after defeating the Grace College Lancers at home on April 17. In game one, sophomore pitcher Jerry Ferris pitched for his eighth straight complete game and ninth win in 10 starts.

“Ferris is our ace. He’s throwing really well,” said Johnston.

The Cougars are third in the conference with a 33-9 record. In order to advance to the conference tournament they need to be ranked in the top five. There are two conference series left in the season, against Goshen College and Huntington University. In order to advance to the opening round of Nationals the Cougars must win the conference tournament.

“We should finish with over 40 wins,” said Johnston.

The Cougars will be hosting Huntington on April 21 with game starting at 1 p.m.

[WRITER’S NOTE: ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL 2012 EDITION OF “THE PULSE”]