Blue Knights Top No. 1 Pioneers
Malone shut out for first time this season
CANTON, Ohio (May 7, 2008) – The Blue Knights had timely hitting and lights-out pitching to shut out No. 1 seed Malone College 4-0 in the first game of the NAIA Region IX Baseball Tournament Wednesday at the Pioneers’ home field, Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.

Urbana (28-19) scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings, and that’s all the Blue Knights needed. Senior catcher Tommy Bowlen started off the top of the third inning, driving a single to left field. Sophomore Kris Nealeigh was walked, setting up junior Steve Froese’s two-out, two-run triple. Froese booked it around the bases and was sent home, but the in-the-park homer was foiled with a tag out at the plate. Senior John Lindquist (pictured left) took care of the rest of the scoring for the Blue Knights. After senior Mike Heck reached first on a base on balls, Lindquist crushed a 430-foot bomb over the elevated “green monster” in centerfield for a two-run dinger.

Junior pitcher Jaeson Hudnall (10-2) and the Blue Knight defense did their jobs on the field. Hudnall threw a seven-hit shutout, his fourth this season. He struck out five, bringing his AMC-leading strikeout total to 89, and gave up just one extra-base hit. The Pioneers (36-12), ranked 22nd in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Poll, had not been shut out this season until falling to the Blue Knights. Urbana turned two double plays in the game and Malone left eight base runners stranded.

The Blue Knights play Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. at Thurman Munson Stadium. Urbana faces off with the winner of the Ohio Dominican/Mount Vernon Nazarene game.