Malone vs. Bemidji State Box Score |
Malone vs. Northern State Box Score
The Malone University baseball team suffered two tough losses on Thursday in a pair of nine-inning contests at the RussMatt Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pioneers opened the day with a 16-2 defeat to Bemidji State (MN) University. Northern State (SD) University then rallied back from a 9-0 deficit to record a 12-10 victory in Thursday's finale.
Following the losses to a duo of NCAA Division II opponents, Malone's overall record slipped to 5-7. Bemidji State, meanwhile, improved to 6-3 and Northern State moved to 2-4.
The Beavers racked up a total of 22 base hits in the first game of the day, grabbing a commanding 9-0 lead after five innings. A two-run double by second baseman
Logan Gray got Malone on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth, but this was all the offense the Pioneers could muster before Bemidji State tacked on three runs in the seventh and four more runs in the eighth.
Pioneer staring pitcher
Nate Morrison took the loss (1-1) after tossing the first three innings. Left-handed starter Phil Bray picked up the win for the Beavers after allowing the two runs through six innings of work. Designated hitter Logan Kalis led the way for the Bemidji State offense, finishing a triple shy of the cycle with a homer, double and two singles.
Malone scored in each of the first four innings of Thursday's second game to build its 9-0 advantage. Northern State pushed one run across the plate in the bottom of the fourth. The Wolves then capitalized on a pair of Pioneer errors the following inning, pulling to within 9-7 with a six-run fifth. NSU struck again with another big inning in the sixth, chasing home five more runs with a pair of clutch triples. A two-out RBI single by shortstop
Joe Goddard made the score 12-10 in the top of the eighth, but Malone was unable to manufacture any additional offense the rest of the way.
The Pioneers drew seven walks and racked up 18 hits in the contest but also stranded a total of 14 runners on base. Third baseman
Frank Dufour scored four runs and posted a total of five base hits, including four singles and a two-run homer in the top of the fourth. Goddard also had a big game, going 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot.
Robbie Rocamora was the difference maker for NSU. The sophomore third baseman/pitcher went 2-for-5 at the plate, delivering a bases-loaded triple in the sixth that put the Wolves in front. He then moved to the mound with one out in the seventh and picked up a save after working the final 2.2 innings.
The Pioneers will be back in action at the RussMatt Invitational on Friday with a 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) doubleheader against Northwestern (IA) College (7-7).
