MVNU (37-14), the top seed in the six-team double elimination event, got off to a good start in the game as the Cougars plated three runs in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Sophomore shortstop Josh Estep had a two-run single, and senior outfielder Eddie Smith added a run-scoring infield single.

Walsh (26-28), which entered the tournament on a seven-game losing streak and had gone 0-8 in the regular season against the three teams that it played in the tournament, got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI-triple by Mike Suliks to cut the lead to 3-1.

Then, in the bottom of the third inning, the Cavaliers knotted the score at 3-3 as Jason Pettigrew singled in one run and Rollin Matsui plated another with a run-scoring fielder’s choice.

The Cougars regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Garret Shivley to make it 4-3, but Walsh plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead for good 6-4. Suliks, Mark Kelly, and Chad Campbell each drove in a run in the inning.

MVNU pulled within 6-5 in the top of the eighth inning on sacrifice fly by Smith, but the Cavaliers tacked on four runs (three of which were unearned) in the bottom of the eighth inning to build a commanding 10-5 lead. The score could have been even worse if it was not for Shivley’s leaping catch over the leftfield fence as he robbed Duston Walter of what would have been a three-run homer to end the inning.

Those runs turned out to be pretty significant as the Cougars pulled within 10-8 on a pair of sacrifice flies by junior second baseman Ross Yoder and senior designated hitter Zack Helm and a long home run to right center by junior third baseman Richey Burgos. However, MVNU was unable to complete the comeback bid as Estep flied out to centerfield to end the game. The victory gave Walsh its first NAIA Region IX title and a berth in the East Coast Super Regional against the NAIA Region X winner next week.

Chris Norris (6-4) earned the win for Walsh as he scattered eight hits, two walks, and six runs over eight-plus innings with one strikeout. Campbell recorded the final three outs in the ninth inning while allowing two hits and two runs.

Junior right-hander Dave Yost (5-2) started and took the loss for the Cougars as he gave up eight hits and five runs over three-plus innings with three strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Jason Decker allowed five hits and one run over 3.2 innings to help keep MVNU within striking distance. Junior right-hander Jason Barber hit two batters and gave up one hit and four runs (only one earned) in 2/3 of an inning, and junior right-hander Marc Hadley allowed two hits in 2/3 of an inning.

Pettigrew went 4-for-5 to pace the Walsh offense, while Kade Klick added three hits. Kelly, Campbell, Suliks, and Ryan Indorf also had two hits apiece as the Cavaliers pounded out 16 hits in the game.

Burgos, Estep, and freshman outfielder Kodi Veale led the Cougars’ attack with two hits apiece. Both of MVNU’s losses in the tournament came at the hands of Walsh, and the Cougars battled back from an opening game loss to win three games in the loser's bracket before coming up just short.  CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOXSCORE

In earlier action on Thursday, the Cougars downed third-seeded Ohio Dominican University (40-13) 8-4 in the loser’s bracket championship game to advance to the region title game for the eighth straight year.

The Panthers, who are ranked 15th in the final NAIA poll, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning as K.C. Warden had a run-scoring single, B.J. Packo added an RBI-triple down the rightfield line, and Ryan Vaughn plated a run with a ground out to third base.

MVNU got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when Shivley singled and later came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-1.

Then, the Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as MVNU scored four times to go up 5-3. Ross Yoder came in on a throwing error, Burgos plated another run with an RBI-single, and Estep ripped a two-run homer to leftfield.

The Cougars went right back to work in the bottom of the sixth inning as MVNU tacked on three more runs to extend its lead to 8-3. Ross Yoder drove in one run with a double to right center, and Helm followed with a two-run homer to centerfield.

Ohio Dominican pulled within 8-4 on an RBI-single by Vince Doster in the top of the seventh inning, but that was as close as the Panthers would get as Barber worked the final 2.2 innings to notch his team-leading fourth save as he allowed just one hit while striking out three batters.

Junior lefty Brandon Turner (8-1) earned the win - his second of the year against Ohio Dominican - as he scattered seven hits, three walks, and four runs over 6.1 innings while striking out four batters.

Tyler Armbruster (4-4) took the loss for the Panthers as he started and gave up six hits, two walks, and five runs over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts. Matt Koblens allowed four hits, one walk, and three runs over 2/3 of an inning, and Joe Pollock closed out the game with three scoreless innings as he gave up just three hits and a walk with one strikeout.

Helm, Smith, Ross Yoder, and senior first baseman/catcher Ari Yoder each had two hits to lead the Cougars with Helm and Estep each driving in two runs apiece.

Doster and Thomas Sullivan registered two hits apiece for Ohio Dominican University.  LOSER'S BRACKET FINALS BOXSCORE

With the loss to Walsh in the championship game, MVNU will now switch gears as the Cougars await word on a probable berth in the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament that will take place in Youngstown, Ohio, on May 16-19. The tournament berths will be announced later this weekend.