CANTON, Ohio -- Fresh off of a sweep of Ohio Valley University last weekend, the Malone University baseball team faces another crucial Great Midwest Athletic Conference series as the Pioneers close out the regular season this weekend.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (19-17, 13-15 G-MAC) vs Walsh University Cavaliers (23-11, 19-9 G-MAC)
Where: Walsh University - Biery Stadium / Tim Mead Field
When: Friday - 1:00 p.m. (DH) | Saturday - 1:00 p.m. (DH)
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-WALSH ALL-TIME SERIES
These two long-time rivals have met 136 prior times on the baseball diamond. The Pioneers hold a comfortable 84-51-1 advantage in the all-time series.
The two sides split the season series 2-2 in 2019.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
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History was made during last weekend's G-MAC sweep of Ohio Valley. With the 17-0 win in game three, head coach Tom Crank became the all-time winningest coach in program history. He now stands at 523 career wins.
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The pitching staff as a whole was dialed in last weekend. Clay Cooper pitched 8.0 strong innings in game one. He struck out 10 batters en route to his fourth win of the season. Cooper leads the G-MAC with a 2.20 ERA this season. Clyde Yoder picked up his team-leading fifth win of the season in game two. On Sunday Tommy Walker tossed a complete-game shutout in the 17-0 game three win, and Cooper Davies, James Kontur, and Tyrus Jones combined for a shutout in the 13-0 game four win.
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With nine hits during the weekend series Tyson Gingerich improved his team-best batting average to a .363 mark. He is tied for the conference lead in triples (4), and is second in stolen bases (29). Joe Watts homered in the opening game of the series to give him seven long-balls on the season. Joe Crank hit a pair of two-run shots, and has now homered in three out of the team's last six games to help give him the team-lead with 26 RBIs.
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Danny Miller picked up his third and fourth saves of the season in Saturday's games. Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen, the right-hander has a perfect 4-0 record and 19 strikeouts in 21.0 innings pitched.
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With the final weekend of the regular season set to begin, the Pioneers find themselves right in the mix for a spot in next week's conference tournament. Six teams have already clinched their berth. Malone (13-15), Hillsdale (12-16), and Findlay (11-17) are all in the mix for the final two spots. Hillsdale and Findlay play a four-game series in Hillsdale, Michigan this weekend.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Cavaliers enter this weekend's series off of their bye week. Walsh last played on April 27 when they topped Mount Vernon Nazarene University 13-7. In their last conference series the Cavaliers dropped three of four games to Ohio Dominican University.
Overall Walsh is tied with ODU for the third spot in the G-MAC standings, and have already secured their berth in next week's conference tournament.
The Cavaliers have six different players who see significant game action batting over the .300 mark. Freshman outfielder Brendan Spaulding leads the group with at .394. Meanwhile senior infielder Andrew Czech leads the conference with a .573 on-base percentage and a .794 slugging percentage.
On the mound Walsh is led by junior Drew Saunier. He has a 4-1 record, and has totaled 60 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched. Additionally sophomore right-hander Brant Alazus has a perfect 6-0 mark, and has pitched two complete games.
WHAT'S NEXT
This is the final regular season series of the 2021 season. The 2021 Great Midwest Baseball Championship Tournament will be played May 12-15 in Mason, Ohio at Prasco Park. The bracket will be released later this weekend after seeding is finalized upon the completion of this weekend's slate of games across the conference.
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.
