The Malone University baseball team suffered defeats of 7-6 and 6-1 on Tuesday afternoon during its home opener against Mercyhurst University (PA).

The Pioneers (8-7 overall) nearly rallied back from a 7-2 deficit in game one before the Lakers (10-0 overall) managed to secure the win.  Mercyhurst, listed among those receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II National Poll, then used a four-run outburst in the fifth inning of the finale to remain undefeated on the year.

Malone will be back in action over the weekend at home as the squad opens Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with a four-game series against Hillsdale (MI) College.

Game One Recap
The Lakers jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning of the opener.  Pioneer centerfielder Brenden Wells then knotted things up in the bottom of the fourth after lining a two-out, two-run single up the middle.

Mercyhurst regained the lead at 3-2 in the top of the fifth with an RBI single and then tacked on four more runs in the sixth to increase its lead to 7-2.  Following a bases-loaded walk, Laker rightfielder Giancarlo Saia delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing double to right-center.

Leftfielder Ryan Froman got the rally going in the seventh for the Pioneers when his grounder towards the Mercyhurst second baseman took a wild hop over the fielder's head, allowing two runs to score.  A fielding error and an RBI single by second baseman Austin Pachan brought in two more runs, cutting the deficit to one.

With two outs and runners on second and third, the Lakers opted to intentionally walk Wells.  Mercyhurst reliever Matthew Minnick then entered the game and escaped the bases-loaded jam, registering his first save of the year after inducing a fielder's choice groundout to end the contest.

The Pioneers registered nine hits in the game, led by Wells who went 3-for-4 with a triple and two singles.  Catcher Hayden Mobley reached base in all four of his plate appearances, posting a pair of singles to go with a walk and hit by pitch.

Five different Malone pitchers appeared in the game.

Game Two Recap
Malone grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of game two on an RBI single by shortstop Richie Mast.  Mercyhurst then held Malone off the scoreboard over the remainder of the contest as starter Jon Corbi and reliever Mike Schnurr allowed just two base hits over the final six frames.

The Lakers tied the game with an RBI groundout in the second before taking the lead in the third on a Pioneer throwing error.

Mercyhurst would then take command with four unearned runs in the fifth inning.

Tyler Whitlatch started on the mound for the Pioneers and was saddled with the loss (1-2) after surrendering two runs (one earned) on three hits over the first four frames.

Schnurr tossed the final 3.1 innings to notch the victory for Mercyhurst.