Pioneers Hang On To Beat Trinity International 3-2

The Malone University baseball team picked up a 3-2 victory over Trinity International (IL) University on Tuesday afternoon at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational after holding off a late Trojan rally attempt.  Trinity International scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to grab a 2-1 advantage before the Pioneers answered with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to pull ahead 3-2.  Trinity International leftfielder William Smith led off the bottom of the seventh with a double but was then thrown out at home by Pioneer centerfielder Matt Hamons (Fr., Willard H.S.) when he tried to score from second on a single by teammate Kevin Tenney.  Following the exciting play at the plate, Malone closer Bryan Bayer (Jr., Fairless H.S.) entered the game and recorded the final two outs to cement the Pioneer win and pick up his first save of the season.  Malone improved to 5-1 with the victory while Trinity International suffered its first loss of the year, falling to 6-1 overall.

The Pioneers recorded six hits in the game as junior catcher Alex Schmid (pictured above; Canton Central Catholic H.S.) went 3-for-3 with a double and one run scored.  Sophomore third baseman Sam Craciun (Strongsville H.S.) went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles while junior designated hitter Corey Hartong (Dalton H.S.) drove in the game-tying run in the top of the sixth with a two-out single.  Senior left-handed pitcher Todd Liberatore (Tusc. Central Catholic H.S.) notched his first win of the season (1-0) after tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief in which he picked off a pair of Trojan base runners.  Sophomore righty Camden Carter (Lake H.S.) started on the mound and earned a no decision after giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits over the first 3.1 innings.

Malone will continue its spring break play in Arizona on Wednesday with a 12:00 p.m. MST (2:00 p.m. EST) doubleheader against NCAA DII Northern State (SD) University.

Big Inning Pushes Malone Past Peru State 10-1

The Malone University baseball team plated eight runs in the bottom of the second inning on Tuesday to pull away for a 10-1 victory over Peru State (NE) College at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational.  The Pioneers batted around during the big inning as sophomore rightfielder Marc Adams (pictured left; Louisville H.S.) recorded two triples during the frame to account for four of Malone’s eight second-inning RBI’s.  Sophomore first baseman Matt Anderson (Jackson H.S) led off the frame by drawing a walk and was then chased home with Adams’ first triple.  Adams then came to the plate once more in the second, this time with the bases loaded and two outs, and again delivered a three-base hit to drive in all three Malone base runners and put the Pioneers in front 8-0.  The Bobcats got a run back in the top of the fourth before Malone added two more scores in the bottom of the fifth to account for the 10-1 final.  The Pioneers improved their record to 4-1 with the win while Peru State fell to 5-5 overall.

In addition to this pair of second-inning triples, Adams also singled and scored in the fifth to end the contest with three hits in three at-bats, two runs scored and four runs batted in.  Freshman lefty Justin Szydlowski (Twinsburg H.S.) picked up the victory in his first collegiate start (1-0), allowing just one run on five hits over his six innings of work. 

The Pioneers will to keep rolling later on Tuesday afternoon when they face Trinity International (IL) University at 1:30 p.m. MST (3:30 p.m. EST).

Men’s Tennis Drops 6-3 Contest To Brevard At Hilton Head

The Malone University men’s tennis team lost a 6-3 decision to Brevard (NC) College during its annual spring break in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Tuesday.   The bottom of the Pioneers’ lineup, at #4 through #6 singles, provided the three wins for the team in the match.  In addition, Nathan Davis, at #2 singles, lost his first singles match of the spring after starting out at 6-0.  With the loss, the team now stands at 1-6 on the spring season.

Scores for the match were as follows:

#1 Nathanael Rodd (Sr., Canton, OH)                     L  2-6, 1-6
#2 Nathan Davis (Fr., Southborough, MA)               L 1-6, 6-4, 0-1 (7-10)
#3 Hunter Atkins (Fr., Fredericksburg, TX)              L  0-5, retired
#4 Tim Frazier (Sr., Beaver Falls, PA)                    W 6-3, 7-5
#5 Alex Steinmetz (Fr., Willard H.S.)                      W 6-2, 6-2
#6 Jonathan Snyder (Sr., Nazareth, PA)                  W 6-0, 6-0
#1 Rodd/David Cairns (Jr., Strongsville, OH)            L  8-9 (3-7)
#2 Davis/Frazier                                                   L 0-8
#3 Atkins/Steinmetz                                              L 3-8

Women’s Tennis Loses To Palm Beach Atlantic 9-0 In Orlando

The Malone University women’s tennis team lost to Palm Beach Atlantic (FL) University by the score of 9-0 on Tuesday during its spring break trip in Orlando, Florida.  With the loss, the team’s record now stands at 0-5 on the spring season.

Scores for the match were as follows:

#1 Alanna Phillips (So., Lexington H.S.)                              L     3-6, 3-6
#2 Kim Knisley (Fr., Marlington H.S.)                                 L     0-6, 0-6
#3 Lauren Armbrust (Jr., Chippewa H.S.)                           L     4-6, 4-6
#4 Julianna Blaisdell (Fr., Salem, NH)                                L   2-6. 0-6
#5 Hannah Swiger (Fr., Dover, OH)                                   L   0-6, 0-6
#6 Stephanie Prasnal (Fr., Hoover H.S.)                            L   0-6, 0-6
#1 Phillips/Knisley                                                            L   2-8
#2 Armbrust/Prasnal                                                        L   0-8
#3 Swiger/Savannah McDaniel (Fr., West Branch H.S.)       L   0-8

Men’s Tennis Lose To Catawba 8-1, Charleston 6-3 On First Day At Hilton Head

The Malone University men’s tennis team lost its first two contests during its annual spring break in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Monday.  In its first match of the trip, Malone lost to Catawba (NC) College 8-1 on Monday morning and then dropped a 6-3 decision to the University of Charleston (WV) on Monday afternoon.

Highlights of the matches included the freshmen sweep in singles against Charleston and Nathan Davis’ continuing his winning streak (undefeated in singles this spring).

Scores for the matches (in order --  Catawba, Charleston ) were as follows:

#1 Nathanael Rodd (Sr., Canton, OH)                          L  6-3, 2-6, 0-1 (11-13)     L  5-7 , 2-6
#2 Nathan Davis (Fr., Southborough, MA)                    W  6-1, 6-3                      W  6-4 , 6-3
#3 Hunter Atkins (Fr., Fredericksburg, TX)                   L  6-7  (2-7) , 3-6             W  6-1 , 6-2
#4 Tim Frazier (Sr., Beaver Falls, PA)                         L  4-6, 4-6                        L  2-6 , 3-6
#5 Alex Steinmetz (Fr., Willard H.S.)                          L  1-6, 2-6                        W  6-7 ( 3-7) , 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
#6 Jonathan Snyder (Sr., Nazareth, PA)                      L  3-6, 0-6                        L   4-6 , 6-7 ( 7-9)
#1 Rodd/David Cairns (Jr., Strongsville, OH)                L  2-8                               L  5-8
#2 Davis/Frazier                                                       L  7-9                               L   5-8
#3 Atkins/Steinmetz                                                  L  7-9                               L   4-8

Men’s Tennis Lose To Catawba 8-1, Charleston 6-3 On First Day At Hilton Head

The Malone University men’s tennis team lost its first two contests during its annual spring break in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Monday.  In its first match of the trip, Malone lost to Catawba (NC) College 8-1 on Monday morning and then dropped a 6-3 decision to the University of Charleston (WV) on Monday afternoon.

Highlights of the matches included the freshmen sweep in singles against Charleston and Nathan Davis’ continuing his winning streak (undefeated in singles this spring).

Scores for the matches (in order --  Catawba, Charleston ) were as follows:

#1 Nathanael Rodd (Sr., Canton, OH)                     L  6-3, 2-6, 0-1 (11-13)     L  5-7 , 2-6
#2 Nathan Davis (Fr., Southborough, MA)               W  6-1, 6-3                      W  6-4 , 6-3
#3 Hunter Atkins (Fr., Fredericksburg, TX)              L  6-7  (2-7) , 3-6             W  6-1 , 6-2
#4 Tim Frazier (Sr., Beaver Falls, PA)                     L  4-6, 4-6                        L  2-6 , 3-6
#5 Alex Steinmetz (Fr., Willard H.S.)                      L  1-6, 2-6                        W  6-7 ( 3-7) , 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
#6 Jonathan Snyder (Sr., Nazareth, PA)                  L  3-6, 0-6                        L   4-6 , 6-7 ( 7-9)
#1 Rodd/David Cairns (Jr., Strongsville, OH)            L  2-8                               L  5-8
#2 Davis/Frazier                                                   L  7-9                               L   5-8
#3 Atkins/Steinmetz                                              L  7-9                               L   4-8

Women’s Tennis Loses To Wesleyan In Second Match In Orlando

The Malone University women’s tennis team lost its second match of its 2010 spring break trip in Orlando, Florida in a 9-0 loss to Wesleyan (CT) University on Monday.

Scores for the match were as follows:

#1 Alanna Phillips (So., Lexington H.S.)                                   L     3-6, 1-6
#2 Kim Knisley (Fr., Marlington H.S.)                                       L     0-6, 0-6
#3 Lauren Armbrust (Jr., Chippewa H.S.)                                L     1-6, 0-6
#4 Julianna Blaisdell (Fr., Salem, NH)                                      L    1-6, 0-6
#5 Hannah Swiger (Fr., Dover, OH)                                         L     1-6, 0-6
#6 Stephanie Prasnal (Fr., Hoover H.S.)                                  L      1-6, 0-6
#1 Phillips/Knisley                                                                  L      2-8
#2 Armbrust/Prasnal                                                              L      2-8
#3 Blaisdell/Marie Konstan (Fr., Lutheran West H.S.)                 L     1-8

Pioneers Sweep Doubleheader With Dakota State; Head Coach Tom Crank Reaches 200 Career Victories

The Malone University baseball team returned to action at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational on Monday with a doubleheader sweep of Dakota State (SD) University.  The Pioneers won each of the seven-inning contests by identical final scores of 8-2 to give head coach Tom Crank (pictured left) 200 career wins.  Starting his seventh year at the helm of the Pioneer baseball program, Crank’s career coaching record now stands at 200-124 (.617) following Monday’s games.  He currently ranks second on the Malone baseball all-time list for coaching victories, trailing only Bob Starcher, who compiled an incredible 521-330-11 (.611) record over his accomplished 23-year Pioneer coaching career.  In addition to giving Crank the career milestone, the wins also improved Malone’s record to 3-1 on the young season while Dakota State fell to 3-6.

In Monday’s opener, the Pioneers scored eight runs over the first four innings to put the contest out of reach.  The Trojans added a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, but it was not enough to overcome the sizable deficit.  Freshman right-hander Jared Messer (Perry H.S.) started on the mound and picked up his first collegiate victory (1-0) after allowing just one hit while striking out three over five shutout innings.  Malone posted 11 hits in the game as sophomore shortstop Joe Goddard (Wadsworth H.S.) went 3-for-3 with one run scored and one run batted in.  Sophomore third baseman Sam Craciun (Strongsville H.S.) went 2-for-4, smashing a two-run homer in the top of the third.  Sophomore right-fielder Marc Adams (Louisville H.S.) also registered two hits in four at-bats, including a two-out RBI double in the top of the first.

The Trojans entered the bottom of the fourth inning in Monday’s second contest trailing by a slim 2-1 margin before the Pioneers exploded for five runs to put the game away.  A two-run single by freshman centerfielder Matt Hamons (Willard H.S.), a two-out RBI triple by freshman leftfielder Allen Strouble (Marlington H.S.) an and a two-out, two-run double by Goddard fueled Malone’s big inning.  Freshman left-handed pitcher Alex Haines (Stow-Munroe Falls H.S.) started and picked up his first career victory (1-0) after working the first five innings, giving up two runs (one earned) while scattering six hits and striking out six.  Junior right-hander Corey Hartong (Dalton H.S.) then entered the contest and tossed two innings of scoreless relief to cement the triumph.  The Pioneers again tallied 11 hits with Goddard, sophomore first baseman Matt Anderson (Jackson H.S.) and Adams all recording two hits apiece.

The Pioneers will continue their spring break schedule in Arizona on Tuesday with a pair of seven-inning contests.  The squad will open the day with a 10:00 a.m. MST (12:00 p.m. EST) match-up against Peru State (NE) College before facing Trinity International (IL) University at 1:30 p.m. MST (3:30 p.m. EST).

Women’s Tennis Loses To Aquinas 6-3 In First Match In Orlando

The Malone University women’s tennis team lost the first match of its 2010 spring break trip to Orlando, Florida in a 6-3 loss to Aquinas (MI) College last Saturday.

The number one doubles team of Alanna Phillips (So., Lexington H.S.) and Kim Knisley (Fr., Marlington H.S.) earned a hard-fought 9-8 thriller while #1 singles player Phillips, in straight sets, and #4 Julianna Blaisdell (Fr., Salem, NH), in a come-from-behind super tiebreaker, earned the singles victories for the Pioneers.

Scores for the match were as follows:

#1 Alanna Phillips (So., Lexington H.S.)                                   W 6-4, 6-2
#2 Kim Knisley (Fr., Marlington H.S.)                                       L 3-6, 0-6
#3 Lauren Armbrust (Jr., Chippewa H.S.)                                L 2-6, 3-6
#4 Julianna Blaisdell (Fr., Salem, NH)                                      W 1-6, 6-1 / 10-7
#5 Hannah Swiger (Fr., Dover, OH)                                         L 0-6, 2-6
#6 Stephanie Prasnal (Fr., Hoover H.S.)                                  L 2-6, 3-6
#1 Phillips/Knisley                                                                 W 9-8
#2 Armbrust/Prasnal                                                             L 2-8
#3 Blaisdell/Marie Konstan (Fr., Lutheran West H.S.)                L 8-9

The team will continue its spring break trip with four additional matches on Monday through Wednesday of this week.

Seventh-Inning Rally Lifts Peru State Over Malone

The Malone University baseball team fell 7-6 to Peru State (NE) College on Saturday afternoon at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational as the Bobcats scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a walk-off victory.  The Pioneers had trailed 5-4 after four frames but then notched single tallies in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull ahead 6-5.  Malone held Peru State off the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth but then was unable to record an out in the seventh as the Bobcats led off the inning with three straight base hits to push the winning runs across the plate.  The tough defeat dropped the Pioneers’ record to 1-1 on the year while Peru State improved to 4-3.

Senior left-hander Todd Liberatore (Tusc. Central Catholic H.S.) started on the mound and tossed the first five innings, surrendering five runs on 11 hits while striking out three.  Freshman right-hander Justin Szydlowski (Twinsburg H.S.) entered the game in the top of the sixth and worked a third of an inning of scoreless relief.  Junior closer Bryan Bayer (Fairless H.S.) then tossed the remainder of the game, suffering the defeat (0-1) after giving up the final two runs on three hits.  Junior leftfielder Andrew Adams (Louisville H.S.) plated a pair of runs with a two-out, two-run double in the fourth inning while sophomore first baseman Matt Anderson (Jackson H.S.) went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI’s.  Sophomore shortstop Joe Goddard (Wadsworth H.S.) posted two hits, driving in the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth with a two-out RBI single.  Junior second baseman Justin Shiflett (pictured above; Zane Trace H.S.) also notched a pair of singles from the lead-off spot while junior designated hitter Corey Hartong (Dalton H.S.) went 1-for-3, notching his second triple of the day. 

The Pioneers will return to action on Monday with a 12:30 p.m. MST (2:30 p.m. EST) doubleheader against Dakota State (SD) University.

Pioneers Pound Dakota State 10-0 In Season Opener

The Malone University baseball team opened its 2010 campaign on a strong note Saturday afternoon at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Inviational with a 10-0 run-rule victory over Dakota State (SD) University.  The Pioneers scored six runs over the first four innings and then added four more scores in the bottom of the fifth to cement the win.  Malone, ranked 22nd in the NAIA Preseason National Poll, improved to 1-0 with the victory while the Trojans fell to 2-3 overall.

Junior left-handed starting pitcher Jeff Shenker (pictured left; Twinsburg H.S.) dominated on the mound, allowing just three hits while striking out seven batters over five shutout innings.  Junior second baseman Justin Shiflett (Zane Trace H.S.) went 3-for-3 at the plate from the leadoff spot, driving in three runs and scoring once.  Junior designated hitter Corey Hartong (Dalton H.S.) also made significant contributions as he went 2-for-2 with an RBI single, an RBI triple, and three runs scored.  Freshman centerfielder Matt Hamons (Willard H.S.) also played well in his first collegiate game, driving in a pair of runs and scoring once.

Malone will return to action later on Saturday afternoon with a single, seven-inning game against Peru State (NE) College.

Men’s Track & Field Team Places Fifth At NAIA Indoor Nationals; Three Men Earn Four All-America Honors

Although the Malone University men’s track & field team sent just eight athletes to the NAIA Indoor National Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee March 4-6, these individuals were able to post an impressive fifth-place national finish among 48 men’s teams which scored points.  In addition, four Pioneer men’s athletes claimed NAIA All-America honors. The Pioneer men posted 27 total points for their fifth-place finish as Azusa Pacific (CA) University captured the men’s team title with 71 points.

The Malone women’s team sent 14 athletes of its own to the national meet but no one was able to score.  Oklahoma Baptist University won the women’s national title with 68 points, just one point ahead of runner-up Wayland Baptist (TX) University which had 67 points.

Chris Sinick (Sr., Field H.S.) captured two All-America accolades as he finished second in the 1000-meter finals in a time of 2:26.65 and placed third in the one-mile run finals in 4:11.90.  With his two All-American honors at the meet, Sinick now has a total of 10 NAIA All-America awards to his credit (two cross country, eight track & field), moving him into a three-way tie with Dave Gramlich (’05 grad) and Aaron Melhorn (Jr., Fairless H.S.), who also have 10 each, for most NAIA All-American honors by a Malone athlete.

Evan Gaynor (Jr., Delta H.S.) earned All-America honors in the 3000 meters as he earned a third-place finish in 8:23.75.  The accolade marked his third NAIA track & field All-American honor and fourth NAIA All-America award overall (including one in cross country.  Jason Rook (So., New Philadelphia H.S.) was the other All-American for the Malone men as he finished in a tie for second in the pole vault with a height of 16’ 4.75” to earn his second consecutive indoor pole vault NAIA All-America honor.

James Zeuch (Jr., Galion H.S.) and Paul Robinson (Sr., Field H.S.) both qualified for the 5000-meter finals but missed All-American honors by finishing ninth (15:04.79) and 11^th (15:21.24), respectively.

In the long jump prelims, Johnnie Legrair (So., Copley H.S.) posted a mark of 22’ 3” but did not advance to the finals.  In addition, Legrair competed in the 60-meter hurdle prelims and finished in a time of 8.53 seconds but did not advance to the finals.

Kyle Wagner (Fr., Green H.S.) competed in the heptathlon and finished in 13^th place overall with 4201 points.

For the Malone women, Sarah Hines (Sr., Northmor H.S.) qualified for the 5000-meter finals and finished 11^th in a time of 18:08.47.   Tynae Wilson (So., Fort Wayne, IN) and Brynn Chaskel (Fr., Liberty Benton H.S.) both competed in the 5000-meter prelims but did not advance to the finals, posting times of 18:31.45 and 19:34.35, respectively.

The distance medley relay team of Erin Bauer (So., Loveland H.S.), Amanda Theis (Jr., Seneca East H.S.), Kayleigh Bildstein (Jr., Madison H.S.) and Lindsey Pifher (Jr., Colonel Crawford H.S.) posted a time of 12:24.70 in the prelims, finishing just one spot out of qualifying for the finals (1.83 seconds from the final qualifying time).

The 4x800 meter relay team of Emily Grad (Jr., Field H.S.), Caitlin Sharp (So., East Canton H.S.), Becky Neitzel (So., Malvern H.S.) and Ashton Avery (So., Canton McKinley H.S.) posted a time of 9:27.28 in the prelims but did not advance.

In addition, Becky Rospotynski (Sr., Copley H.S.) competed in the pole vault but did not clear the opening height of 11’ 1.75”.