The Malone University baseball team picked up a 6-2 victory over Eckerd College (FL) Wednesday night in Winter Park, Florida at Rollins College's Baseball Week. With the win, Malone improved to 7-4 on the year while Eckerd dropped to 11-7. The Pioneers have four games remaining during their spring break trip.
 
Recap
Malone scored its first run of the game in the top of the first inning without the benefit of a base hit. An Eckerd fielding error led to an RBI groundout by Turner Hill and a 1-0 lead for the Pioneers.
 
After leading off the top of the third with a single, Hill came around to score on a two-out RBI single from senior first baseman Austin White. Leading 2-0 in the sixth, the Pioneers broke it open with three runs in the inning to take a 5-0 lead. Josh Haygood smoked a double down the right field line to drive in a pair and later scored on an RBI single for Matt Noel.
 
The Tritons scored their first and only run off of Pioneer starting pitcher Clyde Yoder in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Malone got it right back in the eighth. Tyson Gingerich, who led off the inning with a walk, stole second, stole third, and eventually crossed the plate on a bases loaded walk by Hill. Eckerd added a run in the bottom of the eighth before lefty reliever Clay Cooper shut them down in the ninth as Malone claimed the non-conference victory.
 
Malone pounded out 10 hits in the win, including three from Austin White. Tyson Gingerich added two singles and scored three times from his leadoff position. Out of the number two hole, Josh Haygood reached base five times (two doubles, three walks) and stole two bases.
 
Clyde Yoder (3-0) was outstanding on the hill once again, earning his third win in three starts this season. The righty surrendered just five hits, one walk, and one run while striking out nine batters over seven strong innings.
 
Up Next
Malone will take on Seton Hill (PA) Thursday morning at 10:00 am.