Senior lefthander Roscoe Blackburn struck out a career-high 15 batters in a dominating pitching performance on Friday as the Malone University baseball team won its ninth consecutive game in an 8-0 triumph over Notre Dame College (OH) at Pat Thomas Stadium in Leesburg, Florida.
 
Recap
Blackburn (2-1) needed only 104 pitches in the complete game shutout as he allowed just one hit and two walks along with the 15 punchouts. The southpaw carried a no-hitter until the top of the seventh when the Falcons followed a Malone fielding error with an infield single to create their only threat of the day. Blackburn worked out of trouble before inducing an inning-ending strikeout and preserve what would be his second straight shutout.
 
Blackburn struck out at least one batter in all nine innings, including two each in five of his final six frames. He helped himself out in the run game as well, picking off both batters he walked with his deceptive move to first. His 15 strikeouts tied for the second-most in NCAA Division II this season as well as second-most in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) history. It was also the most by a Malone pitcher in at least the last 15 seasons.
 
The Malone offense gave Blackburn the only run he would need in the bottom of the third when Zach Mottice singled in a run. The Pioneers tacked on a second run in the sixth on a suicide squeeze bunt by Damian Maglione.
 
For good measure, the Pioneers added six more runs in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of aggressive baserunning just as they have all season. A Notre Dame fielding error, three Malone singles, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, a wild pitch, and six stolen bases all added up to half a dozen runs and an 8-0 lead.
 
Austin White singled in a run and later stole home on a double steal with Turner Hill, who later who came in to score on a wild pitch. Nate Cobb, who reached via the HBP, stole second and third and came in to score on a throwing error by the catcher. Mottice and Joe Crank, who each swiped second base in the inning, came in to score on a two-run single by Matt Noel.
 
White accounted for three of Malone's nine hits and two runs scored while Noel added two hits and the two RBI. The Pioneers finished the game a perfect seven-of-seven in stolen base attempts. They've combined to steal 29 bases during their nine-game win streak.
 
Up Next
Malone, now 9-4 overall, will go for two more victories on Saturday as it wraps up a very successful spring break trip. The Pioneers open up against Lewis (IL) at 9:15 am before closing out against West Virginia Wesleyan at 1:00 pm.