CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University baseball team, winners of five out of their last seven games, head back out on the road this weekend for a crucial four-game Great Midwest Athletic Conference series.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (15-17, 9-15 G-MAC) vs Ohio Valley University Fighting Scots (5-27, 3-21 G-MAC)
Where: Ohio Valley University - Parkersburg, West Virginia - Bennett Stump Field @ City Park
When: Saturday - 1:00 p.m. (DH) | Sunday - 1:00 p.m. (DH)
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-OHIO VALLEY ALL-TIME SERIES
These two teams have met just 21 prior times on the baseball diamond, primarily since becoming G-MAC rivals in 2017.
Although the Pioneers hold a 13-8 all-time advantage over the Fighting Scots, the schools split their last regular season series, played in April of 2019.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
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Malone comes into this weekend after winning the series against Lake Erie College last week. The Pioneers took the first three games, including a pair of 5-4 walk-off homerun wins. The round-trippers came off the bat of Bryan Yoder and Joe Crank.
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As a team the Pioneers are batting .259. Tyson Gingerich's .339 mark leads the team, but freshman Jake Aleman is not far behind at .320. Gingerich and Crank are tied with 18 RBIs each
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The Malone pitching staff has put together a 5.77 team ERA to this point. Southpaw Clay Cooper leads the G-MAC with a 2.41 ERA. He has allowed just two earned runs in his last 19.1 innings of work. The entire team has combined for a G-MAC-best 265 strikeouts. Cooper (55) and Tommy Walker (45) lead the Pioneers in punchouts.
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With just eight games remaining in the regular season it is time for Pioneer fans to keep a close eye on the G-MAC standings. Only eight teams will qualify for the 2021 Great Midwest Baseball Championship Tournament. Right now Malone is holding tight to the eighth spot in the league standings.
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Head Coach Tom Crank is on the doorstep of becoming the all-time leader wins leader in Malone baseball history. A split with OVU this weekend would put him in a tie with the legendary Bob Starcher at 521 wins. Three wins over the Fighting Scots would allow him to surpass Starcher and set the new all-time wins mark at 522 and counting.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Fighting Scots enter this weekend's series off of a 13-7 midweek loss at West Virginia State on Tuesday.
Ohio Valley has won at least one game in three of their six G-MAC series this year, with their wins coming against Hillsdale, Trevecca Nazarene, and Ohio Dominican.
Although OVU is last in the G-MAC with a .233 team batting average, redshirt freshman Mason Lohr leads the Scot offense with a .313 batting average. Redshirt senior Mitchell Lohr is leading run-producer with a team-high three homeruns and 18 RBIs this year.
On the mound the Scots have a 9.53 team ERA. Redshirt senior Ryan Valentine has a team-best 29 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched.
WHAT'S NEXT
Malone closes out the 2021 regular season next weekend. The Pioneers will make the short trip Walsh University for a four-game series May 7 and 8.
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.
