> Game 1 Box
> Game 2 Box
TUCSON, Ariz. - Malone University (Ohio) spoiled Southwest Minnesota State's season opening games on Friday afternoon, earning 13-3 and 5-1 victories to sweep a doubleheader at the Kino Sports Complex. The two victories for the Pioneers pushed their winning streak to six straight games and improves to 8-3 overall.
In the opener, Malone belted four home runs to earn the victory. SMSU's runs came via a three-run home run by Shane Sellner in the fourth innings for his first collegiate hit.
Travis McGlaulfin suffered the loss on the mound for SMSU, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
A pair of Malone pitchers combined to strikeout 15 SMSU hitters.
In game two, Malone took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, but SMSU quickly answered to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Derek Branson lead off the frame with a single, then moved to third on a perfect hit-and-run single by Tanner Neale. Patrick Rients then drilled an RBI single to right field to make the score 1-1. SMSU had runners on first and second with no outs, but a fly out and two strikeouts ended the threat for the Mustangs to take the lead.
The game remained tied until the fifth when SMSU had another great chance to take the lead, but a strikeout with runners on second and third ended the inning.
The Pioneers then regained the lead in the home half of the fifth using a two-out bases loaded walk and a two-run single to build a 4-1 advantage.
SMSU was held to three hits in the night cap.
Alex Jorgensen took the loss for SMSU, tossing 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Southwest Minnesota State and Malone will play a single nine-inning game on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. CST.