In the first game, MVNU (23-14, 13-9 AMC) built a 5-0 lead through the team’s first five at bats. Senior second baseman Josh Estep and freshman shortstop Clint Yoder (left) each had an RBI-single in the top of the first inning to get the Cougars off to a 2-0 start.

In the top of the second inning, freshman outfielder Chaz Gibson led off the inning with a single, was bunted to second, stole third, and came around to score on a throwing error to increase the lead to 3-0.

An RBI-double by sophomore infielder Michael Hendren in the top of the fourth inning extended the lead to 4-0, and another run-scoring hit by Yoder made it 5-0 in the top of the fifth inning as MVNU appeared to be in command of the game.

However, in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Panthers (20-12, 12-6 AMC) used six hits, two walks, and an error to plate six runs and take a 6-5 lead. An RBI-single from Felix Brown and a bases-loaded, three-run double by Zach Stewart pulled Ohio Dominican within 5-4 with just one out in the inning. After Stewart was picked off second for the second out, Eian Banks drew a walk and JT Feldkamp followed with a two-run homer to leftfield as the Panthers moved in front 6-5.

That would prove to be the final score as MVNU was unable to push a run across in the Cougars’ final two at bats as they dropped their fifth one-run game in AMC play.

Sophomore right-hander Caleb Wright started for MVNU and allowed six hits, two walks, and four runs over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Steve Miller (2-2) took the loss as he gave up three hits, one walk, and two runs in 1.2 innings of relief work.

Andy Onak (3-0) earned the win for Ohio Dominican as he scattered eight hits, three walks, and five runs (four earned) over five innings with one strikeout. Ryan Robowski notched his seventh save by tossing two scoreless innings in which he allowed just one walk and struck out two batters.

Yoder paced the Cougars at the plate by going 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Estep also added two hits. Meanwhile, Evan Shaw and John Bowron had two hits apiece for the Panthers.

MVNU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the second game when junior infielder Matt Parks (right) plated Hendren with a two-out triple to center.

Ohio Dominican knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning on a two-out RBI-triple by Banks, who was beginning what would be a big game for him.

The Cougars regained the lead 2-1 in the top of the third inning on a two-out, solo home run by junior outfielder Kodi Veale to rightfield. It was his third home run of the season.

The Panthers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when they scored four times to go in front 5-2. Banks led off the frame with a home run, Shaw drew a bases-loaded walk, Billy Techlenburg had a sacrifice fly, and Brown plated a run with a sacrifice bunt.

Banks hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning and Feldkamp followed with a solo shot as the lead grew to 8-2.

MVNU made things interesting in the top of the sixth inning by scoring four times to pull within 8-6 and bring the potential tying run to the plate only to have a runner picked off second base to end the inning. Parks homered to lead off the inning - his third of the season - and sophomore catcher Ricardo Rodriguez added an RBI-single. The other two runs came as a result of two errors in the inning.

Ohio Dominican got some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth inning when Banks hit a two-run double and then came around to score on a passed ball to push the lead back out to 11-6, which would prove to be the final score.

Senior right-hander Jason Decker (4-4) suffered the loss for the Cougars as he gave up seven hits, one walk, and eight runs with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. Sophomore lefty Andy Podolak tossed the final 1.2 innings and allowed three hits, one walk, and three runs (two earned).

Clay Grube (2-1) picked up the win as he scattered seven hits, two walks, and four runs over 5.2 innings with four strikeouts. Roland Rodriguez gave up a hit and a walk and two unearned runs and did not retire a batter, and Robowski tossed the final 1.1 innings and did not allow a baserunner in posting his eighth save of the year.

Offensively, Parks, Hendren, and Rodriguez each had two hits apiece for the Cougars. Meanwhile, Banks finished 4-for-4 for Ohio Dominican with a double, a triple, two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored. Brown and Stewart also added two hits apiece.

MVNU will be right back in action on Friday at 1:00 p.m. when the Cougars host Point Park (Pa.) University in an important AMC doubleheader. With 10 conference games remaining, MVNU is in fifth place in the AMC standings with the top four teams qualifying for the conference tournament.