The first game of the day pitted the final two undefeated teams in the tournament as the No. 3 seed Cougars (35-21) squared off against the No. 4 seed Rams (38-14). After a scoreless first inning in which both teams were retired in order, Bluefield took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a solo home run by Andrew Weaver to leftfield to lead off the frame.

The lead grew to 4-0 in the top of the third inning when with two outs Travis Weaver and Ryan Lambert were both hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. Evan Pelot followed with a three-run homer to rightfield to extend the Rams’ lead.

Bluefield scored three more runs after the first two outs were recorded in the top of the fourth inning. Billy Funk scored on a throwing error, Travis Weaver had an RBI-single, and Lambert also plated a run with a single as the lead grew to 7-0.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Rams tacked on single runs in both the top of the sixth and seventh innings as K.J. Sobolewski had an RBI-single in the sixth inning and a throwing error resulted in a run in the top of the seventh inning.

MVNU collected eight hits in the game as sophomore outfielder Steve Williams (above) and freshman shortstop Clint Yoder both went 2-for-3. However, the Cougars hit into two double plays and stranded seven baserunners in the contest.

Meanwhile, Pelot and Sobolewski both had two hits each with Pelot plating three runs and Lambert, Andrew Weaver, and Devin Good each scoring two runs apiece.

Sophomore right-hander Caleb Wright (5-4) started the game for MVNU and took the loss as he gave up eight hits, one walk, and seven runs over 3.2 innings with one strikeout. Sophomore lefty Andy Podolak tossed 2.1 innings and allowed two hits, two walks, and one run, while freshman right-hander Jeff Estep worked the final inning and registered an unearned run as he walked on batter and struck out the other.

Josh Grimes (7-0) was outstanding on the mound for the Rams as he scattered eight hits and one walk over seven innings with four strikeouts.

With the loss, MVNU turned its focus to an elimination game against top-seeded Malone University (47-15), whose only loss in the tournament was a 5-0 setback to Bluefield.

The Pioneers wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as Scott McIlvain walked, Joe Goddard, and both runners moved up on a wild pitch to start the game. Alex Schmid followed with a drive to centerfield that junior outfielder Kodi Veale made a back-pedaling catch on before slipping as he tried to plant to make a throw back to the infield. Two runs came in on the rare two-run sacrifice fly as Malone took a 2-0 lead.

After the Cougars failed to score in the bottom of the first inning, the Pioneers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the second inning when a throwing error prolonged the inning and a run came around to score on a double play ball.

McIlvain drove in a run in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI-single, Alex Heideman drew a bases-loaded walk and Marc Adams plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning, and Scott Saylor had a two-run pinch hit double in the top of the seventh inning as Malone’s lead grew to 8-0 as MVNU prepared to bat for the final time.

The Cougars did not go down without a fight as sophomore pinch hitter Alan Varney doubled to right center and freshman pinch hitter Christian Gomes lined a single to rightfield to put runners at first and third with no one out. Junior third baseman Matt Parks finally snapped MVNU’s 13-inning scoreless drought with an RBI-double to center to make the score 8-1 in favor of the Pioneers. Williams followed with an RBI single and sophomore infielder Michael Hendren drove in another run with a fielder’s choice as MVNU pulled within 8-3.

Following a single by Veale to keep the inning going and put two runners in place, Josh Estep grounded into a double play to end the game as the Cougars were eliminated 8-3.

Freshman right-hander Jerrob Decker (3-2) started and went four-plus innings as he allowed five hits, three walks, and six runs (four earned) while striking out two batters as he took the loss. Jeff Estep worked the final three innings and gave up just two hits, two walks, and two runs.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Shenker (7-2) posted the victory for Malone as he went 6.1 innings and scattered eight hits, four walks, and three runs with three strikeouts. Bryan Bayer came on and finished the game as the only batter he faced grounded into a double play to end the threat.

MVNU collected eight hits as a team with eight different players registering one hit apiece. The Pioneers added seven hits of their own with Saylor and Schmid each droving in two runs.

With the victory, Malone will advance to the championship game of the tournament on Saturday against Bluefield, who eliminated No. 10 seed Colorado Christian University 3-2 on Friday night The Pioneers would have to beat Bluefield twice in order to claim the NCCAA national title.