Box Score

The Malone University baseball team suffered a 14-5 defeat to rival Walsh University on Thursday at Thurman Munson Stadium.  In addition to being their home opener, the game also marked the Pioneers' first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest of the season.

Malone slipped to 5-11 overall and 0-1 in conference play with the defeat while the Cavaliers improved to 9-10 and 1-0 in the GLIAC.

The Pioneers are slated to return to action on Friday and Saturday with a three-game series against the University of Findlay.  Due to poor field conditions at UF, the games will be played at Mount Vernon Nazarene University's turf field.  The two squads will play a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on Friday before wrapping up the weekend with a nine-inning game at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Malone will get another chance to play the rival Cavs next Tuesday (March 25) with a 2:00 p.m. road doubleheader.

Early miscues proved costly for the Pioneers in Thursday's contest.  After Malone grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, Walsh pulled in front in the top of the fourth, plating five runs with the help of a pair of walks, two base hits and three Pioneer fielding miscues.

Three more Malone errors helped the Cavaliers stretch their advantage to 8-1 in the sixth.  The Pioneers fought back into the game with a four-run seventh inning, scoring on a wild pitch, an RBI fielder's choice by catcher Hayden Mobley, an RBI single by designated hitter Michael Chack and an RBI groundout by shortstop Richie Mast.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Walsh quickly regained control, plating four more runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to put the contest out of reach.

Right-hander Gary Lawrence started on the mound for MU and took the loss (1-1) after surrendering five runs (only one earned) on two hits over four innings pitched.

Brandon Whitsler earned the victory for Walsh after tossing the first six innings, giving up one run while striking out nine.

The Pioneers tallied 10 hits in the contest.  Second baseman Kyler King went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot with a walk and two runs scored.  Mobley also tallied three base hits while Chack went 2-for-5.