CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University baseball program is back at home this weekend. The Pioneers will host Hillsdale College in a four-game Great Midwest Athletic Conference series.
The Matchup: Hillsdale College Chargers (9-7, 5-3 G-MAC) vs Malone University Pioneers (7-8, 2-6 G-MAC)
Where: Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium
When: Saturday - 1:00 p.m. (DH) | Sunday - 12:00 p.m. (DH)
Saturday: Live Stats
Sunday: Live Stats | Live Video
MALONE-HILLSDALE ALL-TIME SERIES
These two teams have met 15 times prior to this weekend's series. The Pioneers hold a slim 8-7 advantage in the overall series.
They last played in April of 2018 with Malone winning two games in a three-game series.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
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Clay Cooper is second in the G-MAC with 30 strikeouts so far this season. In last week's game one start against TNU he struck out 11 batters in 5.0 innings of work.
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Jake Aleman leads the team with a .348 batting average. The freshman has started all 15 games this season, and has 16 hits.
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Tyson Gingerich is third in the G-MAC with 16 runs scored. He is also second in the league with 13 stolen bases on the year.
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In game one of last weekend's series against Trevecca, as a team Malone had five doubles, a season-high. Aleman, Gingerich, Joe Watts, Stone King, and Evan Balzano all had two-baggers for the Pioneers.
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This year's baseball team is truly chasing history. Head Coach Tom Crank enters this weekend's series with 511 career wins. He is just 10 wins away from tying Bob Starcher for the most coaching wins all-time in Malone University history.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Hillsdale enters play this weekend after winning three of four games at Ohio Valley University last weekend. The Chargers outscored the Fighting Scots 40-31 in the series. Hillsdale scored 10 or more runs in all three of the games that they won. The Chargers split with Ohio Dominican University in the only other G-MAC series so far this year.
Hillsdale is led offensively by freshman first baseman Jeff Landis. He has a G-MAC leading eight homeruns on the year with a .382 batting average and 26 RBIs.
On the mound right-hander David Toth leads the conference with 37 strikeouts, but he has a 6.35 ERA in 22.2 innings pitched.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers head back out on the road next weekend. Malone travels to Tiffin University for a four-game G-MAC series April 2 and April 3.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
