Trinity International Box Score  |  Madonna Box Score

The Malone University baseball team took part in a pair of shutouts Tuesday at the RussMatt Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona. Right-handed pitcher Jared Messer led the Pioneers to a 2-0 victory over Trinity International (IL) University in Malone's first game of the day as he tossed a six-hit, complete-game shutout. The Pioneers had the tables turned in game two, though, as NAIA #11 Madonna (MI) University limited Malone to eight hits in a 5-0 loss. Following Tuesday's action, the Pioneers' overall record now stands at 5-5 on the young season. Trinity International dropped to 3-5 with the loss while Madonna improved to 5-6.

Tuesday's opener with Trinity International remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when catcher Bob Suitca plated both of Malone's runs with a two-out double. This was all the offense Messer would need as he tossed a scoreless top of the seventh to secure the shutout win. Messer improved his record to 1-1 on the season after limiting the Trojans to six hits while striking out six over his seven innings of work. First baseman Matt Anderson registered one run scored, a stolen base, and two of the Pioneers' seven base hits.

Madonna jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday's second game. The Crusaders then managed to cash in on four Pioneer errors later in the contest, adding three unearned runs in the bottom of the third and one more unearned tally in the bottom of the sixth. Malone was unable push a run across the plate despite out-hitting Madonna by an 8-7 margin. Left-hander Jeff Shenker started on the mound and took the loss (0-1) after allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits over the first five innings. Second baseman Justin Shiflett paced the Pioneer offense from the leadoff spot, going 3-for-3 with three singles.

Malone continues its busy spring break schedule in Arizona on Wednesday with a 12:00 p.m. MST (2:00 p.m. EST) doubleheader against Olivet Nazarene (IL) University.