The Malone University baseball team remains winless through four games following two losses to the University of Illinois Springfield at the Perfect Game Park at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. The Pioneers dropped Saturday's nine-inning opener 9-1 before falling 16-4 in the seven-inning finale. The Prairie Stars, who are now 4-3 on the year, swept Malone in a doubleheader on Friday as well.
 
Game One Recap
After spotting Illinois Springfield an early run in the top of the first, the Pioneers tied it up on an RBI groundout from Matt Noel in the bottom half. That run was the only one that would cross the plate for the Pioneers, who would leave 15 men on base in the game.
 
The Prairie Stars took the lead for good with three runs in the top of the third off of freshman Clay Cooper (0-1). They added single runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh and two more in the top of the ninth to earn the 9-1 win.
 
Joe Crank led the Malone offense, reaching base four times with two singles and two walks. Jacob Mottice collected two singles and two stolen bases while Nate Cobb singled, stole a base, and scored a run. Damian Maglione belted a second-inning double.
 
Game Two Recap
The Prairie Stars led 14-0 after putting up six runs in the top of the sixth before Malone finally broke through for all four of their runs in the bottom half of the inning.
 
With two outs and the bases loaded, Austin White delivered a two-run double to put the Pioneers on the board. Tyrus Jones followed with a two-run double of his own as he collected his first collegiate hit and RBI.
 
The Prairie Stars tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh while Malone went away quiet in their final at bat. UIS pounded eight extra-base hits in the contest, including four doubles and four home runs.
 
Dyllan West added a double for Malone. Kyle Kovach (0-1) was saddled with the loss on the mound.
 
Up Next
The Pioneers will be idle until next weekend when they travel to Auburndale, Florida for an 11-game spring break trip.