Box Score

The Malone University baseball team suffered a 9-3 defeat at Thurman Munson Stadium on Wednesday evening in a nine-inning contest against the University of Akron. The NCAA Division I Zips held a 5-0 advantage mid-way through the fifth inning and then tacked on two runs apiece in the sixth and seventh frames to put the contest out of reach. Malone matched Akron's hit total on the night with 11, but the Pioneers left a total of 11 runners on base and committed five costly errors that led to six unearned runs for the Zips. Akron, which edged Malone by a 10-9 final earlier this season at Canal Park, completed a season sweep of the Pioneers, improving its record to 9-26 overall. Malone, meanwhile, slipped to 28-17 following Wednesday's contest.

The Zips jumped on top 1-0 in the top of the first inning as centerfielder Drew Turocy reached on a two-out single to center, stole second and then came home to score on a single to left by leftfielder Bryan White. The score then remained unchanged until the fourth when Akron brought home three unearned runs to stretch its lead to 4-0. Zip first baseman Kurt Gamby led off the inning by reaching first on a Malone fielding error and then moved to second on a single to right by third baseman Sam Trecaso. Malone starting pitcher Cory Wise got the next two batters of the frame to pop out before designated hitter Jared Turocy delivered a two-out, two-run triple to right and later trotted home on a Pioneer balk.

The Zips' lead grew to 5-0 the following inning as Drew Turocy crushed a one-out, solo homer over the rightfield fence. Designated hitter T.J. Rosenberg got Malone on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to left. However, a dropped fly ball helped Akron push two more runs across in the top of the sixth, increasing the margin to 7-1. Malone loaded the bases with three straight singles in the bottom of the sixth but managed to get just one run home as Akron worked out of the jam by inducing a double-play ball and a ground out to second. The Zips chased home their final two scores of the game in the seventh as Trecaso ripped a two-out RBI triple to right and then raced home on a passed ball. Malone then wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single to left by pinch hitter Corey Hartong.

Wise suffered the loss (1-1) after surrendering four runs (one earned) on six hits over the first 3.2 innings. Akron starter Jon Pusateri picked up the win (2-2) after holding the Pioneers off the scoreboard over the first four frames. Rightfielder Marc Adams paced the Malone offense by going 3-for-4 at the plate with one run scored. Second baseman Justin Shiflett and third baseman Jimmy Cooperider each added two singles.

Trecaso and Drew Turocy each tallied three hits and scored three runs for Akron as Turocy finished a triple shy of the cycle.

Malone will be back in action on Thursday afternoon when the squad returns to American Mideast Conference play with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Walsh University.