LOUISVILLE, Ohio -- On Saturday afternoon the Malone University baseball team wrapped up their final home series of the 2021 season by splitting a doubleheader with the Lake Erie College Storm. 

Today's game one victory gives the Pioneers (15-17, 9-15 G-MAC)  the series win over the Storm (5-24, 3-19 G-MAC).

In a near repeat from yesterday's series opener, Malone got a walk-off home run to win game one 5-4. In game two Lake Erie got things going early on with a six-run second inning. They would go on to beat the Pioneers 16-1

Game 1 Highlights
In a very similar fashion to yesterday, Malone's bats struggled early on. This time around Lake Erie carried a no-hitter into the bottom half of the sixth inning.

At that point in the game the Strom held a 4-0 lead after scoring one run in the second, and adding a three spot in the top of the fifth. 

Tyson Gingerich broke up the no-hit bid with an infield single in the Malone sixth inning. He came around to score later in the inning on a passed ball. Joe Crank, who was hit by a pitch in the inning, also scored in the inning on a RBI groundout by Bryan Yoder. Joe Watts followed Yoder's RBI with a solo homerun to left field to pull the Pioneers within one run at 4-3.

Danny Miller entered from the bullpen to start the seventh inning. He made quick work of the Storm hitters, retiring the side in order. 

With two outs in the bottom half of the inning Gingerich drew a walk. Crank stepped into the left-handed batter's box next. The senior came through in the clutch by depositing a pitch over the centerfield fence for a two-run, walk-off homerun to give Malone the 5-4 win.  


Game 2 Highlights
Both sides went scoreless in the first inning, but Lake Erie got things going in the second. They plated six runs on six hits and two Malone errors to take a 6-0 lead. 

The Storm added six more runs to their advantage in the top of the third. 

Lake Erie tacked on another run in the fourth, and three more in the sixth to go ahead 16-0. 

Malone's lone run came in the bottom of the 7th when JC Philippi singled to score Steven Tome.

PIONEER POINTS

• Although starting pitcher Tommy Walker was handed the no-decision in game one, his final line showed nine strikeouts for the second consecutive outing. He is now second on the team with 45 strikeouts this season.

• Joe Crank's walk-off homer was his first of the season, and sixth of his Malone career. Eight different Pioneers have gone deep this season. Crank is now tied with Tyson Gingerich for the team-lead with 18 RBIs.

• The win by Danny Miller in game one was his fourth of the season. He is a perfect 4-0 on the year, tied with Clyde Yoder for the team lead. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers will finish out the 2021 regular season with back-to-back G-MAC series on the road. First up is a trip to Ohio Valley University next weekend. Friday's series opening doubleheader is slated for a 1:00 p.m.