Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University baseball team posted one win and one loss on Saturday during a pair of games against Notre Dame College at Pipeyard Stadium in Lorain, Ohio.  The host Falcons scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull away for an 8-4 victory in the opener.  The Pioneers then withstood a late Notre Dame rally to register a 10-8 victory in the finale.

After going 3-1 during the home-and-home series with the Falcons, Malone's overall mark stands at 21-15.  Notre Dame, meanwhile, now holds a record of 13-24-1.

The Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday with a 3:00 p.m. home doubleheader against Cedarville University (24-8 overall).

Game One Recap
A two-out RBI single by catcher T.J. Rosenberg put Malone on top 1-0 in the top of the first inning of the opener.  NDC quickly responded, though, plating four runs in the bottom of the frame to grab a 4-1 advantage.  A bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly made it 2-1 before rightfielder Bryan Pyper ripped a two-run double to right-center to complete the first-inning scoring.

Third baseman Bob Suitca trimmed the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the third after driving in leftfielder Sam Craciun from third with a sacrifice fly.  Suitca then knotted things up at 4-4 in the top of the fifth after clubbing his third homer of the season, a two-out, two-run shot over the fence in right. 

However, Notre Dame answered right back in the bottom of the inning, scoring four unearned runs with the help of back-to-back Malone errors.  With two outs, consecutive wild throws to first by Pioneer infielders allowed the Falcons to pull in front 6-4.  NDC catcher Jesse Carriere and second baseman Jon Koepf then came through with RBI singles to stretch the Falcon advantage to 8-4.

Malone threatened in the top of the sixth by loading the bases with two outs, but NDC managed to escape the jam when Pioneer centerfielder Adam Heideman's sharply hit liner was snagged by NDC shortstop Jared Clovis.

Pioneer starting pitcher Tyler Whitlach suffered the loss (1-4) after giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits through the first 4.2 innings.  Starter Andrew Hyde picked up the win (5-3) for the Falcons after tossing the first five innings.

Malone notched seven hits in the contest as Rosenberg and Heideman each tallied two hits in four at-bats.

Game Two Recap
The Pioneers held a 10-1 advantage entering the bottom of the seventh inning of the finale before the Falcons managed to push seven runs across the plate.  After the first eight NDC batters reached base in the frame, Malone reliever Nate Morrison entered the game with the bases loaded.

The Pioneers' senior closer induced the next two Falcon batters into infield pop-outs to keep the score at 10-6.  Designated hitter Shane DeFranco kept the rally alive, though, ripping a two-out, two-run single up the middle to pull the Falcons to within two at 10-8 .  First baseman Taylor Neville followed with a walk to put the go-ahead run at first. 

However, Morrison was able to cement the Malone victory by inducing the next batter into a fly-out to rightfield.

RBI doubles by Craciun, Heideman and designated hitter Tyler Adkins helped the Pioneers jump out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second.   The Falcons got on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame before two NDC errors helped Malone add two unearned runs in the top of the third.  Leading 7-1, Malone tacked on solo scores in the fourth fifth and seventh innings before the Falcons launched the strong comeback bid in their final at-bat.

Freshman starting pitcher Matt Litty earned his second collegiate victory (2-0) after limiting NDC to one run on five hits through the first four innings.

The Pioneers posted 12 hits in the finale, led by rightfielder Marc Adams, who went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored.  Anderson and Heideman each added two hits apiece.