MVNU (23-15, 12-8 AMC) got the scoring under way in the first game when the Cougars took a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Senior outfielder Garret Shivley plated the first run with a sacrifice fly, and senior third baseman Richey Burgos (left) followed with a two-out, three-run homer. The home run was the ninth of the season for Burgos and the 31st of his career to tie him with former MVNU standout Justin Clarey for second place on the program’s all-time list.

The host Pioneers (33-9, 21-3 AMC), who are ranked No. 22 in the latest NAIA poll, closed the gap to 4-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Jon Lutton legged out an RBI-triple and Troy Richeson drove in another run when he reached on an error.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Malone moved in front 5-4 with an RBI-single by Chris Mandeville and a two-run single by Lutton.

An RBI-ground out by Shivley in the top of the fifth inning knotted the score at 5-5, but the Pioneers jumped back on top 6-5 on a run-scoring single by Zac Barson in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The see-saw battle continued in the top of the sixth inning when the Cougars used two hits, a wild pitch, a sacrifice bunt, and an error to plate two runs and move on top 7-6.

However, once again, Malone responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go back in front 9-7.

Burgos tried to start a comeback in the top of the seventh inning when he led off with a solo home run - his 10th of the season and the 32nd of his career - to make it 9-8, but that would be all the scoring in the game as the Pioneers held on for the win.

Senior lefty Levi Curry (6-3) suffered the loss as he allowed 12 hits and nine runs over 5.2 innings with one strikeout. Freshman right-hander Andrew Carter recorded the final out and gave up one hit, one walk, and one hit batsman.

Sam Campitella started and worked five-plus innings for Malone as he allowed eight hits, one walk, and seven runs with two strikeouts. Todd Liberatore recorded two outs and gave up one walk, and Bryan Bayer (4-1) earned the win in relief as he allowed just two hits, one walk, and one run with one strikeout in 1.1 innings of work.

Offensively, Burgos went 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored to lead the Cougars. Senior shortstop Ross Yoder (right) and freshman outfielder Steve Williams also added two hits apiece. Meanwhile, Lutton finished 3-for-3 for Malone, and Richeson, Mandeville, and John Stallings contributed two hits each.

In the second game, MVNU had plenty of scoring opportunities as the Cougars stranded nine base runners and registered eight hits. However, MVNU was unable to plate any runs as the Pioneers prevailed 5-0. Malone scored twice in the bottom of the second inning, added a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning, and capped of the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Junior right-hander Jason Decker (5-4) took the loss for the Cougars as he gave up 11 hits, one walk, and five runs with three strikeouts.

Adam Boudler earned the victory for the Pioneers as he scattered eight hits and one walk over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Yoder, junior second baseman Josh Estep, and sophomore catcher Travis McInerney each had two hits for MVNU. Mandeville went 3-for-3 to lead Malone, while Justin Shiflett and Zach Winkhart added two hits apiece.

The Cougars will get right back to action on Wednesday when MVNU will travel to Cleveland State University for a non-conference nine-inning game against the NCAA Division I opponent. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m.