MVNU (27-14, 17-9 AMC) got off to a good start on the day when the Cougars scored three runs in the top of the first inning of the first game. Senior second baseman Josh Estep plated the first run with a sacrifice fly, while sophomore outfielder Steve Williams and freshman shortstop Clint Yoder both added an RBI each later in the inning while the Point Park defense committed two errors.

The Pioneers (7-27, 4-20 AMC) got one of the runs back in the bottom of the second inning as they manufactured a run. Brandon Haburjack drew a lead-off walk, was bunted to second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and came around to score on a ground out by Dillon Sauers to trim the lead to 3-1.

Junior designated hitter Travis McInerney had an RBI-single in the top of the third inning as MVNU got the run back to take a 4-1 lead. Then, the Cougars broke the game wide open in the top of the fourth inning with three more runs to go up 7-1. Junior outfielder Kodi Veale (left) drove in two runs with a double, while Yoder added a sacrifice fly.

Point Park plated an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning when a throwing error with two outs allowed a run to score to pull the Pioneers within 7-2. Then, in the bottom of the seventh inning, another unearned run made it 7-3, but that would be as close as Point Park would get as the Cougars held on for the win.

Freshman right-hander Jerrob Decker (3-1) earned the win for MVNU as he scattered four hits, five walks, and two runs (one earned) over five-plus innings with three strikeouts. Sophomore lefty Andy Podolak tossed the final two innings and allowed just one hit, one walk, and one unearned run with one strikeout.

Sean Gaughn (2-4) suffered the loss for the Pioneers as he gave up 10 hits, one walk, and seven runs over four innings. Derek Peluso worked the final three scoreless innings and scattered five hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Veale paced the Cougars’ offense by going 4-for-5, while sophomore catcher Ian Durbin went 4-for-4. Hendren also had two hits to help celebrate his birthday. Dave Angle doubled for Point Park’s only extra base hit.

The second game saw freshman right-hander Kyle Barr (2-1) make his first career start on the mound after nine appearances out of the bullpen. Barr definitely did not disappoint as he allowed just four singles and one walk over five innings with five strikeouts in tossing a shutout.

Meanwhile, the MVNU offense was busy banging out 12 hits to go along with drawing six walks on the way to scoring 10 runs and ending the game after just five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Williams gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead with an RBI-single in the top of the first inning, while sophomore catcher Ricardo Rodriguez and Veale both had run-scoring singles in the top of the second inning to extend the lead to 3-0.

However, the big inning for MVNU came in the top of the third inning when the Cougars sent 12 batters to the plate and registered eight hits while scoring seven runs to break the game wide open and take a 10-0 lead. Veale had a two-run double and Hendren added a two-run single, while freshman outfielder Chaz Gibson, Williams, and Estep each drove in a run. Yoder also had a double and a single in the inning.

Nick Merich (0-3) started and suffered the loss for the Pioneers as he allowed three hits, three walks, and three runs over two innings with two strikeouts. Drew Kury last just one-third on an inning and gave up six hits and seven runs with one strikeout. Doug Andiorio and Sauers then combined to throw 2.2 scoreless innings to close out the game as they allowed three hits and three walks between them but no runs.

Veale, Williams, and Yoder each collected two hits apiece with Veale driving in three runs. Williams and Hendren also finished with two RBI apiece. For Point Park, Brian Grise collected half of the Pioneers four hits with a pair of singles.

With the four-game series sweep and results from other conference action over the weekend, the Cougars have moved back into third place percentage-wise in the AMC standings and in fourth place based on the number of losses which means that MVNU again controls its destiny in trying to reach the four-team AMC Tournament with six conference games to play. The Cougars are slated to be back in action on Tuesday when MVNU will host the University of Rio Grande in another AMC twinbill at Cougar Field at 1:00 p.m.