MVNU (31-15) got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning when sophomore catcher Ian Durbin drove in two runs with a two-out, two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded to put the Cougars on top 2-0.

The Quakers (8-23) got a run back in the top of the third inning. Austin Newman led off the inning with a single and advanced to second base following an errant pick-off attempt. After a pair of strikeouts, Bruce Dunlap lined a two-out single to the right center gap to cut the deficit to 2-1.

MVNU got the run back in the bottom of the fourth inning when freshman shortstop Clint Yoder doubled to right center to start the frame and came around to score on a single up the middle by junior first baseman Travis McInerney to extend the lead back to 3-1.

The lead grew to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Yoder and McInerney had back-to-back one-out singles. Then, with two outs, Durbin singled to rightfield to plate Yoder.

The Cougars manufactured another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when sophomore second baseman Michael Hendren beat out an infield single to shortstop, was sacrificed to second by junior outfielder Kodi Veale, and stole third base. Hendren came in to score when senior designated hitter Josh Estep hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield to put MVNU on top 5-1.

Wilmington pulled within 5-2 in the top of the ninth inning when a single and an error allowed the first two batters to reach. After the next two batters were retired, Clint Roush singled through the left side of the infield to plate a run. However, that would prove to be all the scoring in the game as the Cougars prevailed 5-2.

Senior lefty Brandon Turner (5-2) earned the victory as he scattered four hits, one walk, and one unearned run over three innings with two strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Jeff Estep followed with three perfect innings as he retired all nine batters he faced including two strikeouts. Sophomore lefty Andy Podolak and freshman right-hander Kyle Barr both retired the side in order with Podolak recording a strikeout. Sophomore right-hander Steve Miller gave up two hits and an unearned run in his inning of work that included a strikeout.

Dunlap (0-4) took the loss for the Quakers as he allowed eight hits and four runs over six innings with three strikeouts. Chris Lewis worked one inning and gave up one hit and one runs, while Zach Stakely worked the final inning and gave up one walk.

Offensively, McInerney went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Durbin was 2-for-3 and drove in three runs. Yoder also had two hits and scored twice. For Wilmington, Dunlap and Dan Roncolato both recorded two hits apiece.

MVNU will now turn its attention back to conference play as the Cougars will look to close out the regular season on the right foot on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. when the University of Rio Grande will come to MVNU for an AMC doubleheader.