MVNU (23-13, 12-6 AMC) got off to a great start in the first game as senior shortstop Ross Yoder (left) hit his third lead-off homer - and team-leading ninth round-tripper of the season - to start what would be a six-run first inning for the Cougars. Junior second baseman Josh Estep added an RBI-single, another run came in on a double play with the bases loaded, and freshman outfielder Steve Williams capped off the big inning with a bases-loaded triple to stake MVNU to a 6-0 lead.

Walsh (19-16, 12-9 AMC) put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning as the Cavaliers drew three walks after the first batter was retired and then plated a run on a fielder’s choice. However, the Cougars avoided further damage by turning a double play to get out of the inning with a 6-1 lead.

The lead grew to 9-1 in the top of the third inning when an error by the Walsh defense allowed the first run to score when sophomore outfielder Kodi Veale’s sacrifice bunt was thrown down the rightfield line. Williams added an RBI-single, and another run scored on a double play with runners at first and third.

Walsh did not give up, though, as the Cavaliers began to inch their way back into the game. Duston Walter hit a solo home run leading off the bottom of the fourth inning to make it 9-2. Then, Walsh used six hits to plate five runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to close the gap to 9-7. The first run scored on a double play, Walter plated the second run with an RBI-single, and Jeff Nicholas capped off the inning with a three-run homer to center.

From there, three MVNU relief pitchers were able to hold the Cavaliers at bay as the Cougars posted the important 9-7 victory. Freshman right-hander Caleb Wright (4-1) started and earned the win as he scattered nine hits, four walks, and seven runs (six earned) over 4.2 innings with one strikeout. Sophomore right-hander Michael King gave up two hits in .2 scoreless innings, while freshman right-hander Andy Carter allowed one hit and two walks in 1.1 scoreless innings. Estep came on with the bases loaded and got a ground out on his first pitch to end the game and earn his second save.

Eric Shimko (1-2) started for Walsh and suffered the loss as he failed to retire any of the four batters that he faced as he allowed three hits, one walk, and four runs. Jarod Roberts came on in relief and gave up eight hits, two walks, and five runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Williams (right) went 2-for-3 with four RBI to lead MVNU at the plate, while sophomore catcher Travis McInerney also had two hits. Meanwhile, Mark Kelly led the Cavaliers with three hits, and Walter and Mike Suliks finished with two hits apiece.

The second game was scoreless until the top of the third inning when the Cougars were finally able to push across a run and take a 1-0 lead. Veale led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch as freshman infielder Michael Hendren drew a walk. Yoder followed with a sacrifice fly to score Veale.

MVNU used the same formula to increase its lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning as senior outfielder Marc Hadley led off with a double and moved to third on a single by freshman catcher Ricardo Rodriguez. Sophomore first baseman Matt Parks drove in Hadley with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Cougars broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning as MVNU used two hits and took advantage of an error to score three times to extend the lead to 5-0. Senior third baseman Richey Burgos had a run-scoring ground out and Estep added an RBI-single with the other run scoring on an error.

Walsh avoided a shutout in the bottom of the sixth inning. After the first two batters struck out swinging, Tim Hromada reached on a single. Nicholas followed with an RBI-double to make it 5-1, but the threat died there as Matt Marshall struck out swinging to end the inning.

MVNU got the run back in the top of the seventh inning on a suicide squeeze bunt by Hendren pushed the lead back to 6-1. That proved to be the final score as the Cavaliers were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Estep (left) (1-1), who had not pitched since March 19 coming into the week, made his fourth appearance on the mound in the past five days as he tossed his first career complete game by allowing just five hits and one run over seven innings with no walks and a career-high six strikeouts. In fact, in the four games versus Walsh, Estep finished with a win and two saves.

Alan Frame (1-2) took the loss for the Cavaliers as he allowed seven hits, four walks, and five runs over 5.2 innings with four strikeouts. Mike Muenster tossed the final 1.1 innings and gave up one hit, one walk, and one run.

Veale paced the Cougars’ offense by going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Meanwhile, Hromada collected two of Walsh’s five hits.

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Cougars will travel to NAIA No. 22 Malone College for an AMC doubleheader against the conference-leading Pioneers (31-9, 19-3 AMC). The action will get under way at 1:00 p.m.