The Malone University baseball team came up just short in its bid to knock off the University of Akron on Tuesday afternoon, falling by a 9-7 final.

After the Division I Zips (20-22) grabbed an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, the Pioneers (26-18 overall) slowly chipped away at the deficit, tying the contest with two runs in the top of the fourth and then pulling ahead 4-3 with a solo tally in the fifth.

A pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more runs in the bottom of the sixth gave the Zips leads of 5-4 and 7-5, but the Pioneers fought back each time, knotting the score at 5-5 in the sixth with rightfielder Matt Wheeler's RBI double and then making it 7-7 in the seventh on shortstop Richie Mast's first collegiate homer – a two-run shot over the fence in left.

The back and forth affair then continued on in the eighth as a two-run single to right-center put the hosts on top 9-7.

Malone threatened in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with one out following a walk and a pair of singles.  However, Akron closer and infielder Matt LaRocca, who had delivered the go-ahead single in the eighth, escaped the jam on the mound by inducing a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Pioneers posted 11 hits in the contest.  Mast went 2-for-4 with the homer and two runs scored.  Catcher Matt Davis registered two hits in five at-bats with a double and an RBI single.  Third baseman Jon Crank doubled, singled and scored a run.  Wheeler also finished with a double and a single.

Malone used five pitchers over the course of the afternoon.  Right-hander Matt Litty started and tossed the first 4.1 innings, yielding five runs. 

The Pioneers will wrap-up their regular-season schedule at home this weekend as the squad hosts a four-game series against NCAA Division II #14 Grand Valley State (MI) University.  Saturday's doubleheader will start at 1:00 p.m. while Sunday's twinbill will begin at 12:00 p.m.   Sunday will feature festivities recognizing Bob Starcher Memorial Day (before game one) and Senior Day (between games).