2021 marks Hurford’s third season as the Malone pitching coach after a tremendous four-year playing career with the Pioneers from 2015-2018.
In his first year as pitching coach, Malone led the conference and finished top-20 in NCAA DII in team ERA (3.85). The Pioneers also led the G-MAC in shutouts (6) and ranked second in WHIP (1.44). Under Hurford’s guidance, three Pioneer pitchers earned All-Conference nods and Malone went 30-4 when allowing five runs or fewer.
Hurford pitched in 49 career games, including 37 starts. He posted a 19-11 record with a 2.89 ERA, five shutouts, three saves, and 189 strikeouts over 215 innings pitched. He was named Second Team All-GLIAC as a freshman.
As a junior, Hurford went 7-0 with a 1.48 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 54.2 innings. On April 1st, 2017, Hurford pitched a seven-inning no-hitter over Alderson Broaddus and was named the NCBWA Midwest Region Pitcher of the Week. That season, Hurford was named G-MAC Second Team All-Conference and ABCA First Team All-Midwest Region.
Hurford graduated from Malone with a degree in Sport Management.
