CANTON, Ohio -- This afternoon the Malone University baseball program will face their first true road test of the 2021 season. The Pioneers opened up the year with a neutral site series against West Liberty, but today will travel to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for a non-conference doubleheader.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (3-0, 0-0 G-MAC) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
Where: Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Owen J. Dougherty Field
When: 12:00 p.m. (DH)
Live Stats (Game 1): Provided by the IUP Sports Information Department
Live Stats (Game 2): Provided by the IUP Sports Information Department
MALONE-INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ALL-TIME SERIES
These two programs are 2-2 against each other all-time. They have not met since 1997 when they split a doubleheader, with IUP winning 9-2 and Malone winning 19-4.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- Malone opened up the 2021 campaign earlier this week with a three-game sweep of the West Liberty University Hilltoppers. The Pioneers won 6-3, 2-1, and 13-2 in games that were played on Legacy Field at the Prasco Park complex in Mason, Ohio.
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In that series the Malone pitching staff held West Liberty to a .108 batting average. The Pioneers allowed just 7 hits in 65 at bats. They struck out 18 batters, and finished the three games with a 2.14 ERA.
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Offensively the Pioneers hit .329 as a team in the first three games. Early on in the year that puts them at second place in the G-MAC for team batting average. Malone scored 21 runs on 27 hits. Six of those hits were for extra-bases, including three triples.
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Batting in the leadoff spot in all three contests against the Hilltoppers, Tyson Gingerich was a catalyst for Malone's offense in all three games. He finished the series with six runs scored. He was also 4-9 at the plate and drew three walks.
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The Pioneers had a distinct advantage when it came to running the bases. Malone swiped 11 bags in the series, while the pitching staff and Bryan Yoder, who caught all 21 innings behind the plate in the series, held the Hilltoppers to just three total steals.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Today is Opening Day for IUP. The Crimson Hawks were 3-8 last year in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. In the last full season of competition (2019), IUP finished 15-30 overall.
The Crimson Hawks were picked to finish seventh in the PSAC Western Division in the preseason coaches poll.
IUP brings back 11 of 13 position players who started at least four games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
On the hill, IUP returns its four-man pitching rotation from last year, including seniors Ben Hudock, Nick Kuhn and JP Pellis. These most experienced Hawk hurlers have combined for 94 appearances and 26 starts.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will return to Prasco Park for the second time already this season. Malone will play a doubleheader against West Virginia State University. Tuesday's first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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.
