MASON, Ohio -- In what has become somewhat of an annual tradition in recent years for the Malone University baseball team, the Pioneers traveled to the Prasco Park complex for a four-game series with the West Liberty University Hilltoppers. 

The Pioneers won the first and third games of the series, but WLU countered with wins in games two and four to make it an even 2-2 split of the series. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Game 1: Malone 6 - West Liberty 3
• Game 2: West Liberty 4 - Malone 2
• Game 3: Malone 5 - West Liberty 3
• Game 4: West Liberty 8 - Malone 7
• Records: Malone University Pioneers (4-2, 0-0 G-MAC) | West Liberty University Hilltoppers (3-5, 0-0 MEC)
• Location: Mason, Ohio | Prasco Park - Legacy Field

GAME ONE
Malone's offense erupted for six runs in the first two innings.

Jeremy Tonelli notched two RBIs while JC Philippi, Jake Aleman, Allen Diaz, and Anthony Ryan all drove in one run each to help give the Pioneers a 6-0 advantage. 

That would be plenty of run support for the combination of Mitch Maurer and Jacob Rollyson on the mound. 

Maurer tossed the first six innings of the game. He struck out seven batters, and surrendered just a pair of runs on his way to his second win of the season. 

Rollyson pitched the final inning. He was tagged for one run, but worked out of the jam to close out the 6-3 Pioneer win. 

GAME TWO
Once again the Pioneers jumped on the Hilltoppers early. Tonelli and Diaz each had RBIs in the bottom of the first inning to put MU up 2-0 early. 

Unfortunately this time West Liberty weathered the early storm, and countered with four runs on five hits in the top of the third inning.

Cooper Davies entered from the bullpen in the fourth inning, and held West Liberty in check the rest of the way.

However, the Pioneers were unable to answer back the rest of the way, and WLU held on for the 4-2 win.

GAME THREE
In a change of pace from the rest of the series, WLU's offense got things going in the first inning. The Hilltoppers plated three runs on four hits to grab an early advantage. 

Malone's comeback started in the second inning when the Pioneers got a pair of runs off the bats of Tonelli and Diaz. 

Evan Balzano's RBI double in the third inning tied the game at 3-3. Diaz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to put MU up 4-3. Evan Swan's sacrifice fly gave the PIoneers all of the insurance they needed. 

Danny Miller earned the win in relief of Nate Plack. Michael Cook slammed the door over the final five outs to earn the second save of his career. 

GAME FOUR
Things looked good for Malone early on, and the Pioneers appeared to be headed for the series win over West Liberty. 

Unfortunately the Hilltoppers rallied back late to take the game, and salvage the series split. 

Tonelli broke a 2-2 tie in the third with a three-run home run down the right field line to put MU ahead 5-3. 

In a back-and-forth game the Pioneers led 7-6 heading into the final inning, but West Lib responded with two runs on just one hit to grab an 8-7 lead. 

Malone had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom half of the inning, but ultimately came up short in the 8-7 loss.

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone will spend spring break in Tuscon, Arizona where they will play eight games over the course of nine days in the Tucson Invitational Games.

First up is a matchup with Concordia University, St. Paul on Friday, March 3. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
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