Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Malone University baseball team suffered losses of 12-4 and 14-9 in a pair of nine-inning games on Thursday at the Tucson Invitational.

The Pioneers opened the day with a 12-4 defeat to Morningside (IA) College before falling 14-9 in its finale against Northwestern (IA) College.

Malone, now 1-5 overall, will be back in action in Tucson on Friday with a single, nine-inning game against Southwest Minnesota State University.  The first pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. MST (5:00 p.m. EST).

Game One Recap
Morningside used a seven-run sixth inning to pull away in the opener.  Malone held a 3-0 lead early on but the Mustangs fought back, plating two runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth before erupting for the big inning.

Leftfielder Keanan Locke and designated hitter Michael Chack each accounted for two of the Pioneers' seven base hits.

Matt Wheeler started on the mound and took the loss (0-1) after giving up four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings pitched.

Game Two Recap
The Red Raiders took command early on in Thursday's second game, scoring seven runs in the second and four runs in the third to take a commanding 11-0 advantage.  A two-run homer by Wheeler and a three-run double by shortstop Bryce Miller helped Malone fight back into the contest, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. 

The Pioneers totaled 13 hits in the game, led by rightfielder Hayden Mobley who went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored.  Miller, third baseman Jon Crank, first baseman Logan Gray and catcher Matt Davis all added two hits apiece.

Right-hander Gunnar Smeyres started on the mound and suffered the loss (0-2) after tossing the first 2.1 innings.