MVNU (27-15) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as senior outfielder Garret Shivley and senior third baseman Richey Burgos had back-to-back one-out doubles in the top of the first inning to give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead.

After the host Quakers (10-23) knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning as the result of a fielding error, MVNU regained the lead 2-1 in the top of the third inning without the benefit of a hit as freshman catcher Cory Bean (left) and senior shortstop Ross Yoder led off the inning with back-to-back walks with Bean later scoring on an error.

Wilmington pushed across a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning as the Quakers took a 3-2 lead of their own. Tyler Ledford plated the first run with an RBI-single, while Brad Hatfield followed with a run-scoring double.

A one-out RBI-double by Bean in the top of the fourth inning scored freshman outfielder Steve Williams who had singled as the Cougars tied the score at 3-3.

However, Wilmington grabbed a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Quakers used a walk, a hit batsman, and two sacrifice bunts including a suicide squeeze to move back in front.

MVNU regained the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning when the Cougars scored three times to take a 6-4 lead. Senior designated hitter Mark Hadley and sophomore first baseman Matt Parks both had RBI-singles, and the third run came in on a passed ball.

MVNU tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning when with two outs Shivley singled, stole second base, and came around to score on Burgos’ second RBI-double of the game as the lead grew to 7-4.

That would prove to be the final score as each of the final three Cougar pitchers had scoreless outings to help preserve the victory for MVNU.

Senior right-hander Dave Yost started and worked two innings as he allowed two hits, two walks, and one unearned run. Senior right-hander Jason Barber gave up three hits and two runs in his one inning of work with one strikeout, while freshman lefty Josh Mann tossed one scoreless inning and allowed just two walks. Freshman right-hander Steve Miller (right) (1-1) picked up the victory as he allowed one hits, one walk, and one run in two innings with two strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Andy Carter tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout, and freshman lefty Andy Podolak gave up just one hit and one walk in 1.1 scoreless innings of work. Sophomore right-hander Michael King recorded the final two outs to notch his first career save as he allowed just one hit.

Ryker Miller started and went 3.1 innings and gave up four hits, three walks, and three runs with one strikeout for Wilmington. Dustin Anderson (1-2) suffered the loss in relief as he gave up four hits, one walk, and three runs over three innings. C.J. Lawson tossed 1.2 innings and allowed three hits and one run, while Zach Stakely tossed the final inning and gave up just one hit.

Offensively, Burgos led the Cougars by going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Shivley and Hadley also added two hits apiece with Shivley scoring two runs.

The Quakers had eight different players who each had one hit with Hatfield’s double being the only extra base hit of the game for them. Wilmington also stranded 11 base runners.

MVNU will return to action on Thursday when the Cougars will travel to Point Park (Pa.) University for an American Mideast Conference doubleheader that will get under way at 1:00 p.m. MVNU is currently tied for third place in the conference standings with Urbana University at 14-8, while Walsh University is right behind at 13-9. The top four teams will make the NAIA Region IX Tournament next week.