The Tigers (10-6) used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning, a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second inning, and a two-out single in the bottom of the third inning to build a 3-0 lead in the seven-inning game.

MVNU (8-7) finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning when senior third baseman Richey Burgos led off with a single, moved to second on a ground out, went to third on a single by sophomore catcher Travis McInerney, and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by sophomore first baseman Matt Parks (left) to close the deficit to 3-1.

However, Olivet Nazarene got the run back in the bottom of the fourth inning on a pair of throwing errors and two stolen bases by the Tigers made it 4-1.

In the top of the sixth inning, freshman outfielder Michael Hendren pulled the Cougars within 4-3 when he battled through a nine-pitch at bat to line a two-out, two-run single to left center to keep MVNU knocking on the door.

Olivet Nazarene responded by pushing across a run with two outs to push the lead back to 5-3 on two hits and a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Then, in the top of the seventh inning, senior shortstop Ross Yoder, senior outfielder Garret Shivley, and Burgos each had consecutive singles to lead off the inning as the Cougars closed the gap to 5-4. A sacrifice bunt by junior second baseman Josh Estep put runners at second and third with just one out, but a ground out to second with the infield drawn in forced the runners to hold.

With MVNU down to its final out, Parks came to the plate and lined a two-run single up the middle to put the Cougars in front for the first time at 6-5.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the first two batters were retired for the Tigers before a bloop double by Chad Dilley just inside the rightfield line put the potential tying run at second. Joe Peachey, who had homered in the second inning, followed with another line drive that appeared headed for the same spot, but Parks raced over to snag it to end the game and send MVNU home with a dramatic 6-5 victory.

Freshman right-hander Caleb Wright started and worked five innings for the Cougars as he scattered eight hits, one walk, and four runs with four strikeouts. Senior right-hander Jason Barber (1-0) (right) picked up the win as he worked the final two innings and allowed three hits, one walk, and one run with two strikeouts.

Steven Held suffered the loss for Olivet Nazarene as he gave up 12 hits and six runs over 6.2 innings with two strikeouts and no walks. Ryan Forneris recorded the final out and also walked one batter.

Offensively, Shivley, Burgos, and senior designated hitter Marc Hadley each had two hits apiece for MVNU, while Parks and Hendren drove in three and two runs respectively. Peachey, Adam Hines, and Ernis Arias had two hits each for the Tigers.

The Cougars are scheduled to return to action weather permitting on Tuesday with a non-conference nine-inning game at Kenyon College at 4:30 p.m.