Max Oliver tossed a complete-game to lead the Misericordia University baseball team into the championship series at the NCAA D-III World Series with a 5-1 win over Lynchburg in Eastlake, OH.

Jack Regenye drove in two runs and the Cougars scored four late runs to improve to 42-10.

MU had just four hits, but took advantage of seven hit batters and four Lynchburg errors while backing Oliver with flawless defense.

The Cougars used a patented MU rally to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.  Gabe Bunn was plunked on a 3-2 pitch to open the inning and moved up on a sacrifice bunt.  McIlhenney singled to center and Regenye dropped down a squeeze bunt to give MU the lead.

Lynchburg used a lead-off HBP to the score in the bottom of the fifth, but the Hornets got just one runner to second base over the final four innings.

The Cougars regained the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.  Joe Comins led off the inning with a single through the left side, but was erased on a fielder's choice.  Jason Sanfilippo stole second and Andrew Van Horn reached via hit by pitch.  With two outs, Owen Cordner lined a single to right field to give MU a 2-1 lead.  Garrett McIlhenney was intentionally walked to load the bases and Regenye was hit on the first pitch to force in a another run for a 3-1 lead.

Comins took away a homer in left field for the first out of the bottom of the seventh and Oliver retired the side in order.

The Cougars added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth.  Connor Maryniak beat the defensive shift with a line drive single through the right side and Comins was hit by a pitch.  Sanfilippo was safe on a throwing error and Maryniak came around to score to make it 4-1.  Comins raced home on a passed ball to extend the lead to 5-1.

The Hornets got a runner to second in the bottom of the eighth, but McIlhenney made a catch at the wall in right for the final out.

The Cougars loaded the bases on a pair of hit by pitches and a walk in the top of the ninth, but left the bases full.

Oliver allowed a lead-off single in the bottom of the ninth, but induced a 5-4-3 double play and got a called third strike to end the game.