Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score
 
The Malone University baseball team split a pair of games against Northwestern (IA) College on Monday at the RussMatt Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Red Raiders pocketed a 9-0 victory in the opener before the Pioneers bounced back to register a 9-2 triumph in game two. 

Following Monday's twinbill, Malone's record moved to 4-2 while Northwestern's overall mark now stands at 6-4.

The Red Raiders jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first two innings of game one.  Northwestern then tacked on two runs apiece in both the fourth and fifth frames to put the contest out of reach.  Left-handed starting pitcher Jared Kirkeby tossed a complete-game shutout for Northwestern, limiting the Pioneers to just two hits while walking four and striking out five.  Kirkeby had a no hitter through five innings before Malone catcher T.J. Rosenberg broke through with a two-out single in the top of the sixth.  The Pioneers' other base hit came in the seventh on a one-out single by leftfielder Sam Craciun. 

Malone starter Jack McDonald suffered the loss (0-1) after allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits through the first 3.2 innings.

After being held in check during the first game, the Pioneer bats came alive in game two, cranking out five hits in a six-run first inning.  Third baseman Frank Dufour chased home one run with an RBI double.  Shortstop Joe Piporo followed with a two-out, two-run single.  Second baseman Logan Gray tacked on another run in the second after ripping a one-out triple and then scoring on Rosenberg's RBI groundout. 

Trailing 7-0, the Red Raiders got on the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the fourth.  However, Northwestern would get no closer as RBI singles by Craciun and first baseman Matt Anderson pushed the Pioneer lead back to seven in the bottom of the fifth.

Dufour led the way at the plate in game two, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored.  Anderson and catcher Tyler Adkins each added two hits apiece.

Freshman Matt Litty picked up the win after working five solid innings in his first collegiate start.  The right-hander surrendered the two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three.  Relievers Cullen Bahler and Jesse Coblentz then closed out the victory, each working a scoreless inning.

Malone will continue play at the RussMatt Invitational on Tuesday with solo games vs. Bemidji State (MN) University (4-3 overall) and Arizona Christian University (12-9 overall).  The Pioneers will open the day with a 10:00 a.m. MST (12:00 p.m. EST) contest against Bemidji before taking on ACU at 3:00 p.m. MST (5:00 p.m. EST).  Live statistics will be provided for the Malone-Arizona Christian game at http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10