Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Malone University baseball team wrapped up the home portion of its regular-season schedule on Tuesday afternoon by dropping a pair of close games to Lake Erie College.  After the Pioneers had rallied to tie game one in the bottom the seventh, the Storm used a three-run outburst in the eighth to secure a 5-2 win.  Lake Erie then picked up a 3-2 triumph in the finale after plating the tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Prior to the start of game one, the Pioneers took time to honor their longtime former head coach, the late Bob Starcher.  Several members of Bob's family were in attendance for the 11th annual Starcher Memorial Day festivities.  In addition, the Starcher Memorial Scholarship winners were announced. Brad Beachy and Tyler Eagon shared the baseball award.  The male athlete distinction went to soccer player Luan Tufani while Tayler Carpenter, a member of the track & field team, received the female athlete honor.

Between games, pitcher Taylore Baker, designated hitter Michael Chack, pitcher Jordan Fedor, first baseman Logan Gray, shortstop Kyler King and pitcher Jack McDonald were recognized with their families for Senior Day.

Malone slipped to 17-24 overall and 12-14 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference following Tuesday's action.  Lake Erie, meanwhile, stretched its winning streak to 10 in a row, improving to 25-14 overall and 19-7 in the conference.

The Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday with a 6:00 p.m. contest at Kent State University.  Malone will then return to GLIAC play over the weekend with an important three-game series at Northwood (MI) University.

Game One Recap
The Storm jumped out a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the opener.  Neither team was able to generate any additional runs until the bottom of the seventh when Malone scored twice to send the contest into extra innings.

Catcher Matt Davis and Chack got things started with singles.  Following a groundout, second baseman Richie Mast stepped to the plate and lined a clutch single to center, knotting the score at 2-2.

However, Lake Erie quickly responded, taking control of the contest with three runs in the top of the eighth.  The Storm got the inning going by drawing a pair of one-out walks.  A pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly then put the visitors in front to stay. 

Baker tossed the first seven innings for the Pioneers, surrendering just the two first-inning runs on four hits.

Each team posted six hits in the contest.  Davis and Mast each went 2-for-3 to lead the way for Malone.

Game Two Recap
The Pioneers grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the third inning of the finale.  Centerfielder Keanan Locke reached on a bunt single before moving to second when rightfielder Hayden Mobley was hit by a pitch with two outs.  Gray then cleared the bases with a double into right-center.

The Storm cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly.  The visitors tied the game with a two-out RBI single in the seventh.  A wild pitch then allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate moments later. 

The Pioneers drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the inning, but Lake Erie closer Brandon Grunda induced a fly out to center to end the game.

Grunda made two relief appearances on the afternoon for LEC, picking up the win in game one and his fifth save of the year in the finale.

McDonald tossed the first 5.1 innings of the contest for Malone, giving up one run on five hits.

The Pioneers registered eight hits in game two, one each by eight different players.