Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Canton, OH-- After a sluggish beginning to the season, the Malone University baseball team aimed to kick off conference play with two victories. However, their hopes were dashed as Kentucky Wesleyan visited Thurman Munson Stadium and secured wins in both games of the doubleheader.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Game 1: Kentucky Wesleyan 14 - Malone 11
• Game 2: Kentucky Wesleyan 3 - Malone 0
• Records: Malone University Pioneers (3-12, 0-2 G-MAC) | Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers (3-15, 2-0 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium

Game One
There was a lot of offense shown in the first game of the doubleheader by both teams. The Panthers scored a run in the top of the first inning, but Malone responded quickly. In the bottom half, Zach Flohr and Clayton Criss both got RBI singles, putting the Pioneers back in the lead.

Malone further extended their lead with an RBI single from Jake Aleman. Shortly after, Anthony Ryan blasted a two-run homer, pushing Malone ahead 5-1. The Panther offense came alive in the top of the fourth inning, breaking through against the Pioneer pitching by scoring six runs. They weren't finished yet, as they added another run in the following inning.

Once again, the lead was short-lived as Malone managed to tie the game at 8 following two runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Kentucky Wesleyan held a 14-9 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Pioneers were determined to make a comeback. 

Jordan Stevens' single and a center fielder's error scored Anthony Ryan, advancing Clayton Criss to third, making it 14-10. Gavin Shrum's subsequent single brought home both Stevens and Criss, closing the gap to 14-11. The Panther pitching halted any further scoring, extinguishing the late rally and securing a 14-11 victory.

Game Two
In the second game, both teams emphasized the importance of pitching, aiming to maintain a strong defensive presence on the mound. In the bottom of the first,  Devin Brown and Anthony Ryan both made outs, for Malone but JC Philippi's single to center field sparked hope for the team. Unfortunately, the inning ended with Jordan Stevens grounding out, leaving Philippi stranded on base.

As the game progressed, both teams struggled to gain traction. Eric Baum struck out swinging in the bottom of the second, leaving the Pioneers still searching for their first run. 

The top of the third saw Kentucky Wesleyan's Kyle Werries doubling to left field, but Malone's defense caught him trying to steal third, ending the threat. In the bottom of the third, Malone's Charlie Roberts struck out swinging, and despite G. Shrum's single and stolen base, the inning ended with no runs scored.

The Panthers managed to break the deadlock in the top of the sixth inning, securing three crucial runs that ultimately proved decisive in holding off Malone with a final score of 3-0.

Details 

• Charlie Roberts collected 3 hits between the two games.
• Anthony Ryan collected 3 hits one of which was a home run. He also collected 2RBIs and scored 4 runs
• Clayton Criss had 2 hits, 2RBIs and scored 2 runs in game one.

What's Next
Malone will be back in action tomorrow for the final two games of the series. The games will start a 1:00 and 4:00 PM.

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