March 25, 2008

Kent State Defeats Malone 16-4

 
The Malone College baseball team fell on the road Tuesday afternoon at NCAA Division I Kent State University by a final score of 16-4.  The Golden Flashes racked up a total of 19 hits in the contest, including five home runs, as they pulled away for the nine-inning victory.  The non-conference loss dropped the Pioneers' overall record to 11-4 while Kent State improved to 7-10.
 
Malone jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as junior shortstop Scott McIlvain (Marlington H.S.) walked, advanced to third on a single by junior third baseman Zac Barson (Canton South H.S.), and then stole home.  Kent State responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second before Barson delivered an RBI single in the top of the third to knot the score at 2-2.  The hosts quickly took command, though, with a big seven-run third inning that put them on top 9-2.  The Golden Flashes then tacked on at least one run in each of the final five innings en route to the 16-4 final.
 
Senior left-handed pitcher Jimmy Dowling (Tuslaw H.S.) started on the mound for Malone and took the loss (1-2) after surrendering seven runs (six earned) over 2.1 innings pitched.  The Pioneers tallied 10 hits in the game as McIlvain went 3-4 at the plate with a pair of stolen bases.  Barson also went 3-4 with a pair of run-scoring singles and senior centerfielder Troy Richeson (Minerva H.S.) tallied a single, a double, two runs scored and a stolen base.
 
Malone (11-4 overall, 0-0 AMC) will open conference play this weekend with a pair of American Mideast Conference doubleheaders.  The squad will host two games against Urbana University (7-7 overall, 1-1 AMC) on Friday at 1:00 p.m. before squaring off with Cedarville University (7-12 overall, 2-2 AMC) on Saturday in another twinbill, also slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
1.800.521.1146