NORTH CANTON, OHIO – The Baldwin Wallace University baseball team defeated NCAA Division II Malone University, 5-4, in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader at Thurman Munson Stadium. The second game will begin in 20 minutes.
With its win, BW is 22-8 overall while Malone falls to 16-22 overall.
In addition, senior CAPITAL ONE Academic All-American left fielder Brendan Toughey (East Amherst, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) scored two runs to tie his own school single-season record of 53, set last season, and needs three more to tie former Academic All-American and All-OAC center fielder Cody Kidd's (2006-09) career record of 143.
The Yellow Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning as both senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference center fielder Nolan Neuschaefer (Elyria) and Toughey each walked and then stole second and third base, respectively. The duo scored when freshman second baseman Mark Zimmerman (Akron/Green) doubled.
Malone cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the home half of the third frame.
BW gained a 5-1 lead with three runs in the top of the third inning. Toughey singled and moved to third base on a single by junior 3B Brad Gugliotta (Twinsburg). Toughey scored to make it 3-1 and Gugliotta moved to third on a run-scoring single by Zimmerman for his third run batted-in of the game. Gugliotta scored to make it 4-1 and Zimmerman moved to third base when sophomore shortstop Eric Murphy (Brook Park/Midpark) singled. After Murphy was out at second base via a fielder's choice, senior first baseman Matt Kulick (Wilmot/Fairless ) singled to score Zimmerman for a 5-1 lead.
The Pioneers came right back with three runs of their own in the fifth to close the deficit to 5-4.
At the plate, Zimmerman led the way by going 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. He has 10 RBI in the last five contests.
On the mound, freshman right-hander Alex Albright (North Royalton) made his fourth start of the season and pitched the first five innings and allowed eight base hits, four runs (all earned), struck out three and walked one as he won his first collegiate game and improved to 1-1 overall. Freshman righty Tom Loeffler (Shaker Heights) earned his first collegiate save by throwing two scoreless innings of relief in his 11th appearance of the season. Loeffler allowed one base hit, no runs and struck out two batters.
BW returns to action Wednesday, April 24 to host traditional rival Hiram College at 4 p.m. on Seniors' Day prior to a road doubleheader at Marietta next Saturday.
FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bwyellowjackets.com and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.
