Box Score

The Malone University baseball team fell at home to Lake Erie College on Wednesday night by a final tally of 4-2.  After being held off the scoreboard over the first seven innings, the Storm rallied back for the victory by plating three runs in the eighth and one run in the ninth.

Lake Erie improved to 15-27 overall and 12-17 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with the win while the Pioneers slipped to 19-26 overall and 12-18 in conference play.

The Pioneers grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning as shortstop Bryce Miller led off the frame with a single to right, moved to third on a single up the middle by rightfielder Michael Chack and then scored when first baseman Jon Crank lifted a sacrifice fly to left.

Storm starter Brian Kilway then settled in after giving up the early run, holding the Pioneers to just three hits over the next 6.1 innings before giving way to reliever Doug Fox.

Malone starter Jared Messer was outstanding over the first seven frames, striking out 10 batters while yielding just four hits.

However, Lake Erie finally managed to break through in the eighth.  A pair of one-out singles put runners on first and third for Storm leftfielder Aaron Lindgren.  The sophomore lead-off hitter then stepped to the plate and brought home both base runners after smashing a triple to the base of the wall in right.  Lindgren would then cross the plate with the Storm's third run when the next batter of the inning, rightfielder Garrett Emling, reached on an infield single.

Malone would trim the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth.  Crank led off the frame with a single to center, advanced to second on a wild pitch and then to third on a single to left by third baseman Bob Suitca.  Designated hitter Logan Gray then chased home Crank with a sacrifice fly to center.

A two-out single by leftfielder Keanan Locke later in the inning moved Suitca to third, but Fox managed to end the threat with a strikeout.

Lake Erie tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a two-out single from centerfielder Zach Mosbarger.  Fox then retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to put the game away.

Fox picked up the win, improving to 4-4 on the year after working the final 2.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits.

Despite striking out a season-high 10 batters, Messer was saddled with the loss (5-4).  The senior surrendered three runs on eight hits over the first 7.1 innings and did not walk a batter.

The Pioneers posted eight hits in the game, led by Crank and Miller, who each tallied two hits apiece.

Malone will look to bounce back over the weekend when it wraps up its regular-season schedule at home with a three-game series against the University of Findlay.  Senior Day will be held on Saturday as the two squads square off in a 4:00 p.m. doubleheader.  Bob Starcher Memorial Day will follow on Sunday as the Oilers and Pioneers conclude the series with a nine-inning game starting at 1:00 p.m.