In the first game, the top-seeded Lady Cougars (17-13) took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run single by sophomore shortstop Tasha Konkle (left) and an RBI-ground out by freshman second baseman Kristin Kurelic.

The host Golden Tornadoes (21-11) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning when Samantha Bautista tripled with two outs and scored on a single by Kim Slater to close the gap to 3-1.

Then, in the top of the fifth inning, Geneva got three straight singles with one out to load the bases. Lyndsay Piette was then hit by a pitch to force in a run and make it 3-2. Following a strikeout, Slater hit a two-run single to give the Golden Tornadoes their first lead of the game at 4-3.

MVNU rallied to send the game to extra innings when sophomore outfielder Leslie Banichar hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to knot the score at 4-4.

However, in the top of the eighth inning, Geneva pushed across what would prove to be the winning run without recording a hit. Bridget Beachy was hit by a pitch leading off and Jackie Anthony reached on an error trying to bunt with Beachy moving to third on the play. After Anthony stole second base, Adriane Blake grounded out to the mound with the runners being forced to hold. Then, Rebekah Wahl followed with a sacrifice fly to center to put the Golden Tornadoes back in front 5-4.

Senior right-hander Kristin Eyerman started and worked seven innings for the Lady Cougars as she allowed 11 hits, one walk, and four runs with nine strikeouts. Junior right-hander Candace White (9-8) took the loss in relief as she gave up one unearned run in her one inning of work.

Ashley Archer started and worked the first six innings of the game before being replaced by Wahl (9-4) in the seventh inning. After Wahl worked out of a jam in the seventh inning by giving up just one hit and one walk, Archer re-entered the game in the eighth inning and picked up her second save of the year. For the game, Archer allowed eight hits, two walks, and four runs over seven innings with six strikeouts. Wahl was credited with the victory.

Junior outfielder Whitney Clark and sophomore outfielder Lauretta Wallce both had two hits apiece to lead the Lady Cougars, while Anthony, Archer, Slater, and Michawn Rich had two hits each for the Golden Tornadoes with Slater driving in three runs.

The second game was a pitchers’ duel through the first four innings between White and Wahl. Then, in the top of the fifth inning, MVNU used two singles and an error to load the bases with just one out. That brought sophomore designated player Staci Graham (right) to the plate and she blasted a grand slam - the first home run of her career - to give the Lady Cougars a 4-0 lead.

MVNU tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when Wallace led off the inning with a double and later came around to score on an error with two outs as the Lady Cougars took a 5-0 lead.

That was more than enough run support for White as she closed out her fourth shutout of the season by allowing just four hits over seven innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

Wahl suffered the loss for Geneva as she gave up nine hits, two walks, and five runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Graham, Banichar, and sophomore catcher Caitlin Murphy finished with two hits apiece for MVNU, while the Golden Tornadoes were limited to a double by Amy Pearce and a single each by Bautista, Slater, and Abate.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday morning for one game at 10:00 a.m. to decide who will receive the NCCAA East Region automatic berth. Then, the Lady Cougars will take on Malone College at noon, while Geneva will square off with Malone at 2:00 p.m.