In the first game, the host Redmen (13-14, 1-5 AMC) took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Brandon Lay drove in the first run with an RBI-single and Chris Mahon plated the other two with a two-out, two-run single to centerfield.

After having their first nine batters retired in order over the first three innings, the Cougars (16-9, 8-2 AMC) pulled within 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning on a one-out, two-run homer by senior third baseman Richey Burgos (left) - his team-leading seventh of the season and the 29th of his career as he moved past Mel Severns and Brian Meier into third place in school history in that category.

Rio Grande got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Andy Whewell to push the lead back to 4-2. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tyler Plumpton lined a two-run single up the middle to extend the lead to 6-2.

In the top of the sixth inning, MVNU was able to close the gap to 6-5 on a three-run homer by junior second baseman Josh Estep down the leftfield line. It was Estep’s fifth home run of the season and third in two days as he homered twice on Friday against Shawnee State University.

The score remained 6-5 headed to the top of the seventh inning. With one out, sophomore designated hitter Kodi Veale coaxed a walk to get the tying run on base. Then, on what appeared to be a game-ending double play ground ball to short off the bat of freshman outfielder Steve Williams, both runners were safe when Ryan Yankura, the Redmen’s shortstop, rushed the flip to second base and threw it past Whewell for an error.

The Cougars took advantage of the second chance as senior shortstop Ross Yoder (right) followed the play with a three-run homer to left center to give MVNU its first lead of the game 8-6. It was Yoder’s fifth home run of the season.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Rio Grande managed a one-out single by Edwin Orta, but the next two batters were retired as the Cougars held on for the dramatic victory.

Senior lefty Levi Curry (5-1) was the beneficiary of the offensive comeback as he earned the win on the mound despite scattering 12 hits, two walks, and a season-high six runs over seven innings with one strikeout.

Chase Nicely (4-2) took the loss in relief for the Redmen as he allowed two hits, one walk, and three runs over 1.2 innings. Zach Fellure started and worked 5.1 innings and gave up four hits, two walks, and five runs with two strikeouts.

MVNU managed just six hits in the game, but three of them were home runs accounting for all eight of the Cougars’ runs. Yoder finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored to lead the way. Meanwhile, Mahon went 3-for-4 for Rio Grande, and Orta and Whewell each added two hits apiece.

In the second game, the Redmen once again took the early lead when John Storey lined a two-out, solo home run to left center to give Rio Grande the early 1-0 advantage.

MVNU threatened every inning as the Cougars had base runners in each of the first four innings, but stranded all six of them.

Then, in the top of the fifth inning, Yoder led off with a single and tried to score on senior outfielder Garret Shivley’s double to left center. Yoder was called out on a close play at the plate, but Shivley alertly scampered on to third. Burgos followed with a single off pitcher Brandon Bouley’s glove to knot the score at 1-1 as Burgos drove in his team-leading 30th run of the year.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the seventh inning. The inning starting innocently enough for MVNU as the first two batters were retired. Then, Shivley and Burgos both reached on singles and Estep put MVNU on top 2-1 with an RBI-single to leftfield. Senior outfielder Marc Hadley followed with a long three-run homer to rightfield to give the Cougars a 5-1 lead.

The Redmen threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning when with one out they took advantage of an error and a double to put runners at second and third. However, Whewell flew out to shallow centerfield and Chad Miller struck out to end the game.

Junior right-hander Jason Decker (left) (4-2) earned the win on the mound as he allowed just four hits, one walk, and one run over seven innings with two strikeouts. He registered 11 ground-ball outs among the 21 outs he recorded including fielding five balls successfully himself.

Brandon Bouley (1-3) took the loss for Rio Grande as he gave up 12 hits, two walks, and five runs over seven innings with one strikeout.

Burgos led MVNU at the plate by going 3-for-3, while Yoder, Shivley, and sophomore first baseman Matt Parks each added two hits apiece. Storey finished 2-for-2 to pace the Redmen.

The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday when MVNU will travel to Notre Dame College for another AMC doubleheader that is slated to get under way at 4:00 p.m.