Box Score

The Malone University baseball team dropped a 5-3 decision to Southwest Minnesota State University on Friday at the Tucson Invitational.

Malone slipped to 1-6 with the defeat while SMSU improved to 2-3.

The Pioneers will be back in action in Arizona on Saturday with an 11:00 a.m. MST (1:00 p.m. EST) doubleheader against Bemidji State (MN) University.

A two-out RBI single put the Mustangs on top 1-0 in the top of the first inning.  Malone evened things up in the bottom of the second when rightfielder Ryan Froman drew a lead-off walk and then later crossed the plate on a two-out RBI single by centerfielder Daulton Ritter.

SMSU added solo runs in the third and fourth innings before pushing the lead to 5-1 in the fifth with a two-out, two-run single. 

Leftfielder Keanan Locke cut the deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth, driving a one-out double to right-center and then scoring on an RBI single by first baseman Logan Gray.

The Pioneers threatened in the bottom of the ninth.  Froman led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a single by second baseman Tyler Eagon and scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Kyler King.  However, with one out and the tying run at the plate, Southwest Minnesota State's Brandan Alfson induced a ground-ball double play to escape trouble and preserve the 5-3 win.

Righthander Taylore Baker started on the mound and suffered the defeat (1-1) after surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings of work.  Baker struck out nine while walking just two. Right-hander Branden Carey relieved Baker and tossed three scoreless innings, limiting the Mustangs to two hits while striking out four.

Gray led the way at the plate for Malone with three hits in five at-bats.