The Malone University baseball team tallied a 5-3 victory on Monday at Thurman Munson Stadium in the finale of its four-game Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series with Ohio Dominican University.

After tallying a 1-2 record vs. ODU on Saturday, Monday's win gave the Pioneers a series split with the Panthers while improving Malone's record to 16-12 overall and 7-5 in the GLIAC.  Ohio Dominican, meanwhile, slipped to 12-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play.

An RBI triple by ODU leftfielder Lee Sponseller broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning.  Malone answered back in the bottom of the frame, tying the score at 1-1 on an RBI groundout by catcher Matt Davis.

A hit-by-pitch, a pair of singles and a Malone throwing error allowed the Panthers to chase home two runs in the top of the seventh.  However, the Pioneers rallied once again in the bottom of the inning, pulling ahead for good with a four-run outburst.

A Panther throwing error allowed Malone's first run of the inning to cross the plate.  Centerfielder Brenden Wells then knotted the game at 3-3 with an RBI single to center.  Shortstop Richie Mast and third baseman Jon Crank each followed with sacrifice flies to put the hosts on top, 5-3. 

The Panthers put a pair of runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable manufacture any additional offense.

Righthander Matt Litty started on the mound and tossed the first six innings, yielding one unearned run on four hits.  Gunnar Smeyres picked up the victory (1-0) in relief after working the seventh and eighth innings.  Gary Lawrence followed with a scoreless ninth to tally his second save of the season.

The Pioneers registered nine base hits in the contest.  First baseman Ryan Sarbaugh went 3-for-3 with a walk and one run scored.  Leftfielder Ryan Froman added a pair of singles and scored a run.

Weather permitting, Malone is scheduled to be back in action at home on Wednesday with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader against rival Walsh University.