CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Malone University baseball team is now 18-19 overall and 7-15 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play after they split a doubleheader on Friday against Cedarville University (15-23, 9-13 G-MAC). The Yellow Jackets claimed game one by a score of 8-3, but the Pioneers were victorious in eight innings in game two, 3-2.
 
GAME ONE RECAP:
Cedarville went up 2-0 in the first inning and pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fifth before the bats showed up for Malone in the sixth. A bunt single by Colin Coblentz set the table for a three-run inning for the Pioneers. Shane Coblentz doubled home one run, followed by a sacrifice fly by Reilly Tyna to plate Doran Mast and an error scored a third run in the frame.
 
The Yellow Jackets were able to answer with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to remain in front 6-3, and in the eighth, the opponents further extended their lead to 8-3. A 1-2-3 ninth for Cedarville ended the game at that score.
 
Mast remained hot at the plate at 3-for-4 in the series opener. Vincent Alvarez had multiple hits as well at 2-for-4. On the mound, Jackson Phelps (3-3) struck out three batters in five innings, but allowed four runs on six hits and seven walks.
 
GAME TWO RECAP:
The first three batters for the Pioneers in game two loaded the bases with a pair of hits and a walk. Tyna once again delivered an RBI with a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0. A double steal on first and third was executed to perfection to double the lead.
 
Malone had a bases loaded opportunity in the third, but all three runners were left stranded. A pair of walks and a single by Cedarville cut into the Pioneer lead in the fifth, but starting pitcher Shane Coblentz (5-3) kept his composure and got out of the jam with the lead intact, 2-1.
 
Malone was unable to provide the freshman with any insurance, and that would come back to bite the team in the seventh when an infield single with two outs scored the game-tying run. Zach Root laid down a sacrifice bunt to push the go-ahead run to third and Alvarez recorded a sacrifice fly to go back in front, 3-2. Landon Homan was able to secure his first save of his career with a scoreless inning.
 
UP NEXT:
Due to inclement weather in the forecast for later in the day, Malone and Cedarville have moved the first pitch time on Saturday, April 18 to 10:00 A.M. in an attempt to get all innings in.