CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University baseball team hosted a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) doubleheader against Cedarville University on Friday. The Pioneers improved to 14-20 overall and 5-13 in the conference after the two-game sweep. The Yellow Jackets fell to 13-21 and 6-11 in the G-MAC.
GAME ONE RECAP:
Cedarville posted the first run of the game in the top of the first. Malone responded in the bottom of the first on an
Anthony Bartiromo single to drive in
Allen Diaz to tie the score at 1-1. The Pioneers then were able to pull off a double steal to earn a second run from
Jordan Stevens.
The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Stevens doubled to get on base and
Jake Barker deposited an RBI single into left field. After a Diaz single and Stevens was able to reach off an error, Bartiromo provided insurance with a two-run double in the eighth.
The Yellow Jackets were able to score a run off relief pitcher
Cooper Davies, but were unable to complete the comeback at 5-2. Bartiromo led the Pioneer offense with two hits and three RBIs. Diaz went 2-for-3 at the plate. On the mound,
Jackson Phelps (4-2) struck out eight batters and only gave up four hits.
GAME TWO RECAP:
Cedarville was able to put up the first run in game two as well, due to a wild pitch. Malone was able to respond again, though via a Stevens RBI single that scored
Zach Flohr. Singles from Barker and Bartiromo loaded the bases in the first, but the Yellow Jackets were able to get themselves out of the jam.
In the top of the sixth, Cedarville led off the inning with triple and a sacrifice fly scored the runner from third to go up 2-1. The Pioneers answered with a sacrifice fly by Bartiromo to draw even at two.
Allen Laytart came in to pitch for Malone to hold the Yellow Jackets to two runs.
In the final inning,
Rafe Bonifay singled to get him on base one and a sacrifice bunt from
Robert Gumino moved him to second.
Eric Baum was walked with the fourth ball being wild advancing Bonifay to third and Baum to second. Flohr hit a walk-off single to bring Bonifay home for the 3-2 victory.
Leading hitters for the Pioneers included Flohr who went 3-for-4 and Stevens who went 2-for-3. Laytart (1-1) was the winning pitcher but starting pitcher
Nate Plack tossed a team-high 5.2 innings.
UP NEXT:
The Pioneers continue the series against Cedarville at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 11 with a game one start time of 3:00 P.M.