In the first game, the visiting Pioneers (7-25, 4-18 AMC) struck first in the top of the first inning when lead-off batter Kyle Lucot was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a balk, and then came around to score on a two-out, RBI-single up the middle by Sean Gaughn to put Point Park on top 1-0.

MVNU (25-14, 15-9 AMC) grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning when senior pitcher/second baseman Josh Estep (left) plated the first run with a run-scoring ground out to second base. Sophomore leftfielder Steve Williams followed with an infield single to third base that he hustled and beat out as the Cougars took a 2-1 lead on the play.

MVNU extended its lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Cougars drew four walks to score the first run with junior outfielder Kodi Veale registering an RBI. Estep followed with a two-out, two-run single to left center to increase the lead.

However, the lead evaporated in the top of the sixth inning as the Pioneers took advantage of three walks, a hit batsman, and an error by the MVNU defense to score four times and knot the score at 5-5. Jesse Pesanka and Dillon Sauers each had an RBI, while Brandon Haburjack’s two-run single with two outs tied the game.

The Cougars wasted little time in regaining the lead, though, as sophomore infielder Michael Hendren and Veale led off the bottom of the sixth inning with singles and Estep laid down a sacrifice bunt that was thrown away allowing both runners to score and Estep to move all the way to third base. One out later, Estep stole home as he raced in and beat the delivery of Mike Palmer to the plate on a perfectly timed and executed play as MVNU built its lead up to 8-5.

That would prove to be the final score as the Cougars snapped their three-game losing streak. Estep, who was making his first start on the mound in 13 days, worked 5.2 innings and allowed four hits, two walks, and four runs (only one earned) with three strikeouts as he ended up with a no decision. Sophomore right-hander Steve Miller (3-2) picked up the win despite allowing two hits, one walk, and one unearned run in just one-third of an inning. Freshman right-hander Kyle Barr then came in and recorded the final three outs to notch his third save of the year as he allowed one hit in his scoreless inning of work.

Addison Scherich (3-2) suffered the loss for the Pioneers as he gave up 10 hits, four walks, and eight runs (five earned) in five-plus innings with three strikeouts. Mike Palmer tossed the final inning and walked one batter.

Offensively, Hendren, Veale, and Williams each had two hits apiece for MVNU with Estep driving in three runs. Meanwhile, Dave Angle collected two of Point Park’s seven hits.

The second game started much the way the first game did as the Pioneers grabbed an early 1-0 lead on an RBI-ground out by Jesse Pesanka in the top of the second inning after Gaughn doubled to right center leading off the inning and moved to third on a fly out by Haburjack to rightfield.

The Cougars finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when freshman outfielder Chaz Gibson (right) blasted a lead-off home run to leftfield to tie the score at 1-1. It was Gibson’s team-leading sixth home run of the year in just 69 at bats as he continued to average a home run every 12 at bats or so.

Point Park regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning when the Pioneers drew three walks and got an RBI-single from Pesanka to go in front 2-1. However, MVNU was able to get out of the inning without any further damage when Brian Grise grounded into a 4-6-3 double play on a full-count pitch with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The Cougars took advantage of three errors by Point Park in the bottom of the fourth inning to take their first lead of the game 4-2. Freshman shortstop Clint Yoder drove in a run when he reached on an error and Hendren also plated a run with a sacrifice fly. The other run came around on a failed pickoff attempt.

MVNU then blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Cougars scored four more runs on just three hits to build an 8-2 lead. Gibson had a two-run double in the inning, and sophomore catcher Ricardo Rodriguez added a two-run single.

From there, senior lefty Brandon Turner (4-1) and the MVNU defense did the rest as the Cougars prevailed 8-2 for the doubleheader sweep. Turner went the distance on the mound for his second complete game in seven starts as he allowed just five hits, three walks, and two runs over seven innings with two strikeouts.

Joe Downar (1-3) suffered the loss for the Pioneers as he gave up five hits, two walks, and four runs over 3.1 innings with three strikeouts. Palmer tossed an inning in relief and gave up three hits and four runs, while Drew Kury pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

Parks, Yoder, and Gibson each had two hits for MVNU with Gibson driving in three runs and Rodriguez adding two RBI. Pesanka drove in both runs for Point Park, while Gaughn had the Pioneers’ only extra base hit with a double.

The two teams will be back in action against each other on Saturday as the venue shifts to Point Park. The AMC doubleheader will start at 1:00 p.m. at Frank J. Marko Field in Robinson, Pa.