CANTON, Ohio -- This afternoon the Malone University baseball program will play one more non-conference series before transitioning into Great Midwest Athletic Conference action this weekend.
Today the Pioneers will meet the West Virginia State University Yellow Jackets on a neutral site field for a doubleheader.
The Matchup: West Virginia State University Yellow Jackets (2-2, 0-0 MEC) vs Malone University Pioneers (4-1, 0-0 G-MAC)
Where: Prasco Park - Legacy Field
When: 1:00 p.m. (DH)
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-WEST VIRGINIA STATE ALL-TIME SERIES
Today's doubleheader will be the first meeting all-time on the baseball diamond between Malone University and West Virginia State University.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- Tyson Gingerich had a monster week at the plate for Malone. He batted .529 with 11 runs scored. He was 8-8 on stolen bases.
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Freshman Jake Aleman has made an immediate impact on the Pioneer lineup. He has started all five games so far this year, and boasts a .375 batting average.
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Joe Crank is the team's leading run producer with 5 RBIs.
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On the mound Clay Cooper has 11 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched so far this year. He struck out seven batters in just three innings of work on Sunday at IUP.
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After just one week of play so far in the 2021 season, as a team the Pioneers' offense is hitting .273 and the pitching staff has a 3.75 ERA
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Yellow Jackets are off to a 2-2 start on the young season. WVSU opened the year with wins over Bluefield State and Slippery Rock, but they dropped the last two games of the series to SRU to drop back to .500.
State's offense is led by graduate student Matt Harrison who is hitting .462 on the season. Four of his six hits have been for extra bases, and he is tied for the team lead with five RBIs. Fellow classmate Christopher Jordon is also hitting above the .400 mark at .455.
On the mound the WVSU pitching staff is sporting a 5.10 team ERA coming into today's doubleheader. The Jackets have struck out a combined 20 batters in 30.0 innings pitched. Ethan Lauchart and Nick Loftis have the wins. Lauchart leads the team with five strikeouts.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will open up G-MAC play this weekend. Malone travels to the University of Findlay for a four-game series. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday. 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.
