After a scoreless first inning, MVNU (15-6) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of second inning on an RBI-double by freshman shortstop Clint Yoder and a run-scoring single by junior first baseman Travis McInerney.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Cougars exploded for five runs to increase their lead to 7-0 with six hits in the frame. Sophomore outfielder Steve Williams (left) lined a two-run single through the right side of the infield and junior third baseman Matt Parks followed with an RBI-single. Then, Yoder ripped another double to plate two more runs.

The Blue Jays (2-11) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning when they strung together five hits and plated three runs to close the deficit to 7-3. Wes Gill drove in the first run with a single, while Grady Lincalis lined a two-run single to centerfield.

MVNU tacked on another five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to expend the lead back to 12-3. Williams plated three runs with a triple to centerfield and then scored himself on a wild pitch, while McInerney drove in another run with a single to left field.

A triple by Mike Silver and an RBI-ground out by Joe Leake in the top of the fifth inning pulled Westminster within 12-5, but a sacrifice fly by senior right-handed pitcher Josh Estep, an RBI-single by Williams, and another wild pitch extended the Cougars’ lead to 15-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Yoder led off with a line drive homer to right field to close out the scoring in the 16-5 victory for MVNU as the 10-run mercy rule was invoked after the top of the seventh inning.

Josh Estep (4-1) earned the victory on the mound as he scattered eight hits, one walk, and five runs over five innings with eight strikeouts. Senior right-hander Jason Decker tossed two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while striking out three batters.

Gary Johnson took the loss for the Blue Jays as he gave up 15 hits, three walks, and 15 runs (13 earned) over 4.1 innings with one strikeout. Jon Simpher worked the final 1.2 innings and allowed three hits and one run with one strikeout.

Offensively, Williams led the 18-hit attack for MVNU by going 4-for-4 with six RBI and three runs scored. Yoder, McInerney, and freshman outfielder Jeff Estep each added three hits apiece with Yoder driving in four runs, and sophomore infielder Michael Hendren finished with two hits.

The Cougars will close out their spring trip with a doubleheader against Clearwater Christian (Fla.) College starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Chain of Lakes Stadium in Winter Haven, Fla.