CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University baseball program heads out on the road this weekend for the first time since early March. The Pioneers travel to Tiffin University for a four-game Great Midwest Athletic Conference series with the Dragons.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (8-11, 3-9 G-MAC) vs Tiffin University Dragons (10-5, 5-3 G-MAC)
Where: Tiffin University - Heminger Field
When: Friday - 1:00 p.m. (DH) | Saturday - 1:00 p.m. (DH)
Friday: Live Stats - Game 1 | Live Stats - Game 2 | Live Video
Saturday: Live Stats - Game 3 | Live Stats - Game 4 | Live Video
MALONE-TIFFIN ALL-TIME SERIES
These two teams have met 91 times on the diamond prior to this weekend's series. The Pioneers hold a 57-34 advantage in the overall series.
They last played in April of 2019, Malone won that game 4-2. Clay Cooper picked up the save.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
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Freshman Jake Aleman leads the Pioneers, and sits just outside the top-10 in the conference, with a .371 batting average. He has 23 hits in 62 at bats.
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Clay Cooper has solidified himself atop Malone's rotation over the last few weekends. The senior southpaw is second in the G-MAC with 37 strikeouts, and has a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched.
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Tyson Gingerich had a great weekend at the plate in last week's series against Hillsdale. He was 7-19 (.368), drove in 7 RBIs, and had a pair of extra-base hits. One of those was a three-run homerun on Sunday. Gingerich is third in the conference with 20 runs scored, and he is tied for the top spot with 15 stolen bases on the season.
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In game three of the series against Hillsdale Joe Watts hit a pair of homeruns. That gives him the team-lead with three on the season. He is one of three Pioneers that have double-digit RBI totals this year.
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Danny Miller pitched 2.2 strong innings on Sunday to earn his second win of the season. Miller has a team-high seven appearances, and has struck out 12 batters in 13.0 innings pitched. As a staff Malone pitchers have sat down 166 opposing batters. Only Hillsdale College has struck out more batters in the G-MAC.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Tiffin comes into this weekend on a four-game losing streak. Prior to losing three out of four games to Walsh last weekend and dropping Tuesday's midweek to Ashland the Dragons were 10-1 to start the year.
In G-MAC play Tiffin is 5-3 overall placing them fifth in the conference standings.
Offensively the Dragons are led by redshirt-junior Nich Green. His .432 batting average ranks third in the G-MAC. He also has a team-high 19 RBIs. That mark is also third-best in the league.
On the mound Michael Boswell has a team-best 1.80 ERA. He has 22 strikeouts in 20.0 innings pitched on the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers return home next weekend. Malone will host Ohio Dominican University for a four-game series April 9 and 10. The entire series will be played at Canal Park in Akron. Canal Park is the home stadium of the Cleveland Indians' AA affiliate, the Akron Rubberducks.
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.
