Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Malone University baseball team began its 2014 campaign in Arizona on Monday by tallying a 1-1 record in a pair of games against Morningside (IA) College at the Tucson Invitational.  The Pioneers notched a 5-3 victory in the opener before falling 7-6 in the finale.

The Pioneers resume play in Arizona on Tuesday with a 10:00 a.m. MST (12:00 p.m. EST) twinbill against Northwestern (IA) College.

Game One Recap
Rightfielder Matt Wheeler, who transferred to Malone prior to the start of the season, led off the bottom of the first with a home run to stake the Pioneers to an early 1-0 lead in the opener

Morningside plated two runs in the top of the third and one run in the fourth to grab a 3-1 lead before Malone answered with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth.  After the first two batters of the frame were retired, the Pioneers managed to string together a walk and four consecutive base hits to pull in front 5-3.  A walk by shortstop Bryce Miller and a single by second baseman Tyler Eagon got things started.  Centerfielder Daulton Ritter followed with an RBI single to bring home the first run of the inning.  After blasting a home run in his first at-bat as a Pioneer, Wheeler came through with another big hit three innings later, a two-run double that scored Eagon and Ritter.  Leftfielder Ryan Froman, a transfer from Ohio Wesleyan University, then wrapped up the scoring with an RBI single.

The Mustangs threatened by loading the bases in the top of the seventh but closer Brad Beachy was able to induce a fly out to center to cement the victory and pick up his first save of the season.

Right-hander Taylore Baker started on the mound and earned the victory (1-0) after limiting Morningside to three runs on eight hits.

Wheeler led the way for Malone offensively, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI's.  Froman finished 2-for-4, smacking a third-inning double to go with his RBI single in the fourth.

Game Two Recap
The Pioneers tallied three runs in the top of the first inning to jump out to an early lead in Monday's finale.  First baseman Logan Gray brought home the first run with an RBI single before designated hitter Michael Chack drove in two more with a single.

The Mustangs made it 3-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.  Malone would then stretch its advantage to 5-3 with an unearned run in the second and a sacrifice fly by shortstop Bryce Miller in the top of the third.

Morningside trimmed the deficit to 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth and then rallied for the win with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.  The Mustangs tied the game with a one-out RBI double and then later pushed the winning run across the plate when a batter was hit by a pitch with two outs and the bases loaded.

Right-hander Matt Litty started on the mound and tossed the first five innings, surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits.  Beachy was saddled with the loss (0-1) after facing the first five batters in the seventh inning.

Centerfielder Keanan Locke registered two of the Pioneers' seven hits, ripping a double in the second inning and an RBI single in the fifth.