Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Malone University baseball team wrapped up its trip to Arizona on Friday by tallying a 1-1 record in a pair of games against Peru State (NE) College.

The Pioneers (7-6 overall) dropped the opener to the Bobcats 15-5 before bouncing back to register a wild 17-8 victory in game two.

Malone will be back in action on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. with a nine-inning contest at NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University. 

Game One Recap
Peru State (4-7) scored three times in the bottom of the fourth inning to grab a 5-1 lead in Friday's opener.  The Bobcats then added four more runs in the fifth and six runs in the sixth to put the contest out of reach.

The Pioneers batted around in the top of the seventh, scoring four times with a two-run double by third baseman Bob Suitca and RBI singles by catcher Matt Davis and rightfielder Frank Dufour.  However, it was not nearly enough to overcome the sizable deficit.

Right-hander Matt Litty started on the mound and suffered the loss (0-1) after surrendering five runs (three earned) on five hits through the first four innings.

Davis accounted for three of the Pioneers' seven hits, ripping singles in the first and third innings to go with his RBI base hit in the seventh.

Game Two Recap
Malone managed to overcome eight errors in Friday's finale thanks in large part to an outstanding offensive performance by catcher Hayden Mobley.  The sophomore drove in a whopping seven runs from the lead-off spot, going 4-for-4 with a double, triple and three runs scored.

Things looked bleak for Malone at the start as Peru State jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning with the help of three Pioneer fielding miscues and a three-run homer by designated hitter Derrick Davis.  However, the Pioneers quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, pulling ahead with a six-run outburst. 

Mobley got things started in the first inning by drawing a walk and then later crossing the plate with Malone's first run on sacrifice fly by Davis.  Following an RBI single by first baseman Jon Crank and a two-run double by leftfielder Keanan Locke, Mobley stepped to the plate once more in the first inning and belted a two-out, two-run single to put the Pioneers in front 6-5.

The Bobcats would knot the score with another unearned run in the top of the second, but Malone managed to pull away down the stretch by adding three runs in the third, three runs in the fourth and five runs in the sixth. Mobley played a part in each of the Pioneers' big innings, ripping a two-run triple in the third, an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run double in the sixth.

Shortstop Bryce Miller also made substantial contributions from the No. 2 spot in the order, going 2-for-5 with three RBI's.  Davis was 1-for-3, clubbing his first collegiate homer in the sixth to go with his sacrifice fly in the top of the first.

Locke and centerfielder Daulton Ritter helped set the table for Mobley's big day from the No. 8 & No. 9 spots in the batting order, scoring three runs apiece after combining to draw a total of six walks.  Malone's season-high 17 runs came on just 12 base hits as the squad stayed patient at the plate, drawing a total of nine walks in the contest and twice reaching base after being hit by pitches.

Starting pitcher Tyler Whitlach picked up his second win of the Arizona trip after working the first six innings, surrendering seven runs (only one of which was earned) on seven hits while striking out five.