In the first game, the host Pioneers (26-10, 13-5 AMC) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI-single by Zac Barson and a run-scoring ground out by Ryan Baechel.

MVNU (23-12, 13-7 AMC) bounced back to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the third inning as three Malone errors allowed three unearned runs to cross the plate. Junior outfielder Kodi Veale drove in one run, while the other two runs came in as the result of a throwing error.

Malone knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Baechel was hit by a pitch, moved to second base on a wild pitch, advanced to third base on a bunt single by Adam Heideman, and came around to score on a passed ball.

Then, in the top of the fifth inning, the Cougars moved on top for good with a 4-3 lead. Veale singled to right center with one out to plate courtesy runner Alan Varney who was on base for sophomore catcher Ian Durbin who had led off the inning with a single.

Freshman right-hander Jerrob Decker (2-1) (left) earned the win as he allowed just four hits, three walks, and three runs over five innings with three strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Steve Miller notched his first save of the year as he tossed the final two innings and retired all six batters that he faced with one strikeout.

Jeffrey Shenker (3-1) took the loss for the Pioneers as he allowed five hits, one walk, and four runs (only one earned) over seven innings with four strikeouts.

Offensively, Durbin was 2-for-2 with a walk, while Veale drove in two runs. There were no extra base hits in the game for either team.

The second game was all Malone as the Pioneers scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, tacked on another run in the bottom of the second inning, and scored two more times in the bottom of the fourth inning to post the 6-0 victory.

MVNU managed just five singles in the game with five different players collecting them. Meanwhile, Alex Schmid went 2-for-3 with two RBI and Matt Anderson also drove in two runs to lead Malone.

Sophomore right-hander Caleb Wright (4-2) took the loss for the Cougars as he gave up six hits and four runs over three innings. Freshman right-hander Kyle Barr tossed the final three innings and allowed two hits, two walks, and two runs with two strikeouts.

Sam Campitella (5-1) notched the win for the Pioneers as he limited MVNU to just five hits and three walks over seven innings with three strikeouts.

The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday when MVNU will travel to Ohio Dominican University for another important AMC doubleheader that will get under way at 1:00 p.m.