Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University baseball team lost both games of its doubleheader at Arizona Christian University on Wednesday, falling 3-0 in the opener and 4-3 in game two. 

Following the fifth day of competition at the RussMatt Invitational, the Pioneers' overall record now stands at 5-5.  The Firestorm, meanwhile, managed to avenge Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Malone, improving its record to 14-10 on the season.

Despite registering five base hits and three walks, the Pioneers were unable to cross the plate in Wednesday's first game, stranding a total of nine runners on base.  ACU also struggled to get its offense on track until the bottom of the sixth when a pair of Malone errors opened the door for a three-run inning.

Firestorm reliever Dylan Waugh then worked a scoreless top of the seventh to preserve the shutout victory and pick up his second save of the year.  Arizona Christian starter Chris Freudenberg got the victory after tossing the first six innings.  Malone starting pitcher Alex Haines struck out eight but was the tough-luck loser.  The left-hander saw his record drop to 0-2 after surrendering three unearned runs on four hits through six innings of work.

Much like in the opener, Arizona Christian did all of its game-two scoring in a single inning.  The Firestorm struck for four runs in the top of the first with the help of a pair of Pioneer errors.  Second baseman Logan Gray got Malone on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth after smacking a one-out triple and then later crossing the plate on an RBI single by catcher Tyler Adkins. 

The Pioneers then pulled to within 4-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Malone brought home the first run of the inning on a ACU error.   Rightfielder Marc Adams then ripped a bases-loaded single to left.  Centerfielder Adam Heideman scored easily from third on the play but Firestorm leftfielder Mike Greco came up with the ball and fired to home plate, cutting down Malone third baseman Frank Dufour as he tried to score the tying run from second base. 

The Pioneers again threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting a runner on second base with two outs.  However, ACU reliever Trey Schneider then entered the game and induced a pop out to preserve the Firestorm's 4-3 victory.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Tyler Whitlach tossed a complete game in first collegiate start, limiting ACU to just three hits over his seven innings of work.  Whitlach struck out six and walked four, surrendering four runs (only two of which were earned).

Leftfielder Sam Craciun paced the Pioneer offense in game two, going 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot.

Malone will continue its spring-break trip to the RussMatt Invitational on Thursday with two more games.  The Pioneers will take on Bemidji State (MN) University at 9:30 a.m. MST (11:30 a.m. EST) before facing Northern State (SD) University at 2:00 p.m. MST (4:00 p.m. EST).

Check back on Thursday for box scores from each of Wednesday's games.