The Cougars (31-17, 20-12 AMC) got off to a good start in the first game as MVNU got back-to-back two-out RBI-singles from junior third baseman Matt Parks and freshman shortstop Clint Yoder in the bottom of the first inning as MVNU took an early 2-0 lead.

Rio Grande (35-19, 21-11 AMC) knotted the score at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning by stringing together three hits and a walk and taking advantage of a throwing error by the Cougars. Tyler Schunk had an RBI-single in the inning.

The score remained that way until the top of the ninth inning of the scheduled seven-inning game. Ryan Yakura had a run-scoring single to put the Red Storm on top 3-2 and then Brad Konrad added a two-run double to extend the lead to 5-2.

However, MVNU was up to the task in the bottom of the ninth inning when freshman first baseman reached on an infield single when Konrad lost an infield pop-up in the sun. Konrad followed with an error at shortstop on sophomore outfielder Chaz Gibson’s ground ball to put two runners on. That set the stage for senior designated hitter Josh Estep (above) who promptly doubled to left center to tie the game again at 5-5.

After both teams failed to score in the 10th inning, Rio Grande exploded for five runs in the top of the 11th inning. James Jamieson led off the inning with a solo home run to leftfield. Michael Lynch, Francisco Ramirez, and Edwin Orta added RBI-singles each, and Jamieson drew a bases-loaded walk in hi second at bat of the inning to give the Red Storm a 10-5 lead.

The Cougars made things interesting in the bottom of the 11th inning when junior outfielder Kodi Veale plated a run with an RBI-triple and Estep beat out an infield single for another run as MVNU pulled within 10-7. However, with the two runners on and the tying at the plate, the Cougars were unable to do any more damage as they fell 10-7.

Sophomore left-hander Andy Podolak (0-1) suffered the loss as he gave up[ six hits, four walks, and five runs over two innings with two strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Caleb Wright started and worked three scoreless innings as he gave up just two hits and one walk. Freshman right-hander Kyle Barr tossed four innings of relief with three hits, two walks, and two runs while striking out two, and sophomore right-hander Steve Miller gave up four hits, one walk, and three runs with two strikeouts over two innings.

Ryan Chapman started and worked the first seven-plus innings for Rio Grande as he scattered 10 hits, one walk, and two runs with four strikeouts. Schunk tossed the final four innings and picked up the win as he allowed eight hits and five runs (only two earned) with one strikeout.

Veale, Estep, Parks, and sophomore catcher Ian Durbin each had three hits apiece to lead the Cougars, while sophomore second baseman Michael Hendren and Yoder added two hits apiece.

The Red Storm offense was led by Konrad, Ramirez, Schunk, and Jamieson with two hits apiece.

After the high-scoring first game, the second game proved to be a pitchers’ duel. Rio Grande took advantage of three MVNU errors in the top of the third inning to plate a run and take a 1-0 lead.

The score remained that way until the top of the seventh inning when the Red Storm tacked on an insurance run to go up 2-0. Tyler Plumpton doubled to lead off the inning and later came around to score with two outs on an RBI-double just inside the leftfield line by Ramirez.

That proved to be a big run as the Cougars mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning as back-to-back singles by freshman first baseman Josh Roberts and sophomore outfielder Steve Williams put runners at first and third with no outs. Gibson (right) got MVNU on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1, but that was as close as the Cougars would get as the next two batters were retired to end the game.

Senior right-hander Jason Decker (5-5) was the hard-luck loser as he allowed just three hits and one unearned run over three innings for MVNU. Freshman right-hander Jerrob Decker gave up two hits and three walks in two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and freshman right-hander Jeff Estep allowed three hits and one run over two innings.

Ryan Cramer (5-0) picked up the win for the Red Storm as he scattered three hits and three walks over four scoreless innings with one strikeout. Scott Sheets gave up two hits, one walk, and one run in two-plus innings with one strikeout, and Desmond Sullivan notched a save by retiring all three batters he faced and registering one strikeout.

The Cougars managed just five singles in the game offensively. Meanwhile, Plumpton paced Rio Grande with two hits.

Despite the sweep, MVNU will advance to the four-team double elimination AMC Tournament that will get under way next Tuesday at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Cougars will be the No. 4 seed and will join No. 1 seed Malone University, No. 2 seed Ohio Dominican University, and No. 3 seed Rio Grande. Game times and match-ups will be released on Monday.