The Malone University baseball team dropped to 10-10 on the season with a 4-3 loss to Tiffin University in a non-conference bout Tuesday afternoon at Jackson High School. The Pioneers scored all three runs in the bottom of the ninth and sent the go-ahead run to the plate, but ultimately lost their fifth consecutive game. The five-game losing streak is Malone's longest since 2014.
 
Recap
After throwing out what would have been Malone's first run at home plate in the bottom of the first inning, Tiffin (3-17) scored two unearned runs in the top of the third inning to stake hold of an early lead.
 
Pioneer starting pitcher Tyrus Jones (1-1) pitched well across the next several innings, but would be saddled with the tough-luck loss as the lineup struggled to generate much offense. Jones tossed a career-high seven innings, allowed just five singles and two walks, and recorded four strikeouts.
 
The Dragons added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings against the Malone bullpen and carried a 4-0 advantage into the bottom of the ninth.
 
A leadoff single by Matt Noel marked the first of four for the Pioneers in their final at-bat. Josh Haygood followed Noel with a one-out base knock before Jacob Mottice and Bryan Yoder each collected RBI singles to cut the lead to 4-2. Cade Mottice's RBI fielder's choice trimmed the margin to 4-3, but Malone was unable to cash in on the game-tying run.
 
Haygood, who added a double, and Noel each finished with two hits to pace the offense.
 
Up Next
Malone welcomes Davis & Elkins College to Stark County this weekend for four G-MAC contests. The first of two doubleheaders is slated for this Friday, March 20th beginning at 1:00 pm.