The visiting Cougars (19-13) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as MVNU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-out RBI-single by junior second baseman Josh Estep.

The host Lords (16-12) knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning when with two outs Craig Wocl drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After James Wendt also coaxed a two-out walk both runners moved up two bases as consecutive balk calls were made to plate Wocl with the tying run.

The Cougars regained the lead for good in the top of the third inning on a two-out RBI-single by sophomore outfielder Kodi Veale after an error prolonged the inning. Freshman outfielder Steve Williams (left) then followed with a two-run triple to give MVNU a 4-1 advantage.

The lead grew to 5-1 in the top of the sixth inning when another Kenyon error allowed a run to score. However, the Lords got the run back in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Cougars committed an error to return the favor to make it 5-2.

MVNU scored its final run of the game in the top of the eighth inning on a run-scoring ground out by senior third baseman Richey Burgos with the bases load. Kenyon made the final score 6-3 by scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Lords used a single, a walk, and a hit batsman to load the bases before a wild pitch brought the run in.

Freshman lefty Josh Mann (right) (2-1) started and earned the win as he allowed just two walks and one run over three innings with three strikeouts as the first of six pitchers used by the Cougars. Sophomore right-hander Michael King tossed two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit with two strikeouts. Senior right-hander Jason Barber surrendered three hits and an unearned run in his one inning of work with one strikeout, while freshman right-hander Steve Miller tossed a scoreless inning and gave up just one hit with two strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Andy Carter allowed one hit, one walk, and one run in one inning of work with one strikeout, and freshman lefty Andy Podolak retired the side in order in his one inning of work with one strikeout.

Kenyon sent seven pitchers to the mound with Tom Boucher starting and allowing four hits, one walk, and one run in his two innings of work. Geoff Bollier (4-4) took the loss as he gave up three hits and three unearned runs over two innings with one strikeout. Jamie Keyte, Nate Fedor, and Alex Kerr each tossed a scoreless inning, while Dan White and Alex Cultice each surrendered one run apiece in their one inning of work respectively.

Williams finished 3-for-4 at the plate to pace MVNU’s offensive attack, while senior shortstop Ross Yoder and sophomore first baseman Matt Parks both added two hits each. Will Smith collected two of the Lords’ six hits in the game.

The Cougars will return to action at home on Thursday when MVNU hosts Walsh University, the defending NAIA Region IX champion, in a key American Mideast Conference doubleheader that will get under way at 1:00 p.m. at Cougar Field. MVNU will be looking to end a four-game conference skid.