Coming into Saturday’s game, the two teams had already played twice earlier in the tournament with the Panthers claiming a 14-13 victory in 10 innings in the first round on Wednesday, while MVNU bounced back to force the if necessary game with a 9-5 win on Friday.

On Saturday, runs were much harder to come by as the game was scoreless through two innings. Then, in the top of the third inning, Ohio Dominican (37-14) was able to put together a big inning. After K.C. Warden singled and Brian Packo was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Vince Doster reached second, Packo moved to third, and Warden scored when Doster’s sacrifice bunt attempt was thrown down the rightfield line by Cougar freshman pitcher Josh Mann. Felix Brown followed with a two-run double, and Joe Janusik also plated a run with a double as the lead grew to 4-0. Following a wild pitch and a walk that put runners at first and third, Greg Riesenberg capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to rightfield as the Panthers built a 5-0 lead.

The Cougars (33-18) took advantage of two errors and two singles to plate one run and load the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning with the run coming in on an infield single by sophomore outfielder Kodi Veale (above left). However, the next two batters were retired for MVNU and the Cougars left three runners on base.

From there on out, pitching and defense took over for both teams as neither team was able to plate another run as the Panthers prevailed by the final score of 5-1 to earn the right to host Fisher (Mass.) College in the NAIA East Coast Super Regional best-of-three series that will start next Thursday in Columbus.

Mann (3-2) took the loss for MVNU as he started and lasted two-plus innings giving up three hits, three walks, and five runs with three strikeouts. Freshman lefty Andy Podolak (right) came on to pitch the final seven innings and give the Cougars a chance to come back as he was sensational allowing just two hits, four walks, and no runs with two strikeouts. Podolak came into the game having thrown just 14.2 innings total on the year and lowered his ERA to 0.83 with the stellar seven-scoreless-innings performance.

For Ohio Dominican, the story of the game was the pitching of sophomore right-hander Jonathan Kountis (5-2). Kountis, who had lasted just 4.1 innings on Wednesday versus MVNU in giving up 10 hits and eight runs, was on top of his game on Saturday despite pitching on short rest. He allowed just five hits, one walk, and one unearned run as he went all nine innings on the mound. He also closed the game retiring the final 14 batters that he faced to secure the win for the Panthers.

Offensively, senior third baseman Richey Burgos collected two of the Cougars’ five hits with a double and a single to increase his season hits total to a team-leading 80. Veale, sophomore first baseman Matt Parks, and senior shortstop Ross Yoder added a single each.

Five different players had a hit for Ohio Dominican with Brown and Janusik leading the way with a double apiece. Warden, Eian Banks, and Matt Shiring also added a single each.

With the loss, MVNU will now switch gears and await word as to whether or not there will be a National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament or not as the Cougars look to qualify for the NCCAA National Tournament that will be held in Struthers, Ohio, on May 21-24. Details should be available by Monday.