Box Score

The Malone University baseball team completed its spring break trip to the RussMatt Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday afternoon with an 11-0 victory over Macalester (MN) College.

The Pioneers snapped a six-game slide with the win, improving to 6-9 overall.  Macalester, meanwhile, slipped to 3-4.

Starting pitcher Jared Messer led the way for Malone, tossing a two-hit shutout to earn his third victory of the young season.  Messer struck out four and walked one, holding the Scots without a hit until Macalester centerfielder Nick Mar led off the top of the fifth inning with a bunt single. 

In his first three starts of 2012, Messer has tossed 18 innings, striking out 15 while surrendering just 10 base hits and no earned runs. 

Three consecutive RBI singles put Malone on top 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The Pioneers then put the game way with six runs in the fifth inning and two more runs in the sixth.

All nine batters in the Malone lineup recorded at least one base hit. Catcher T.J. Rosenberg and designated hitter Bob Suitca each tallied RBI singles in both the fourth and fifth innings.  Second baseman Kyle Sprague went 1-for-3 at the plate, driving in three with a two-run double in the fifth and a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.

Malone will be back in action in the Buckeye State on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. with a nine-inning road contest against NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University (3-11 overall).