Schedule
Malone (11-7, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (7-10, 3-1 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Friday, Mar. 20 | Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field – Hillsdale, Michigan
Malone (11-7, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (7-10, 3-1 G-MAC) | 4 p.m. ET Friday, Mar. 20 | Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field – Hillsdale, Michigan
Malone (11-7, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (7-10, 3-1 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Mar. 21 | Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field – Hillsdale, Michigan
Malone (11-7, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (7-10, 3-1 G-MAC) | 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Mar. 21 | Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field – Hillsdale, Michigan
 
Links
Hillsdale Roster | Malone Roster | Hillsdale Stats | Malone Stats | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
 
Preview
After taking three of four from Thomas More on the opening weekend of conference play, the Hillsdale College baseball team is now tied for the G-MAC North Division lead and one of two teams above .500 in league play in the early going. Now, Hillsdale plays on its home field for the first time as it hosts G-MAC foe Malone for a four game set this weekend looking to maintain momentum.

One of the top teams in the G-MAC in the conference's early years, the Pioneers have struggled recently, missing four straight G-MAC Tournaments and finishing last in their division each of the last two seasons. There's signs Malone is on the upswing in 2026, however, as the team is off to an 11-7 start while aiming to end both droughts.

Key to the early success has been an excellent offense for the Pioneers, who lead the conference in batting average and on-base percentage after ranking seventh in 2025. There are a few holdovers from last season who've stepped up their game, including senior infielder Robert Gumino, hitting .383, and junior Jake Barker, but it's mostly new faces to the lineup that are powering the surge, led by freshman cousins Shane and Colin Coblentz, both of whom have an OPS over 1.1. Shane is the better hitter for average, with a team-leading .438 that ranks among the best in the G-MAC, while Colin has brought more power, with six home runs and a team-leading 16 RBIs. Zach Root, Reilly Tyna and Ethan Petak are other hitters to watch.

Malone's offense has put in extra work this season to cover for a pitching staff that's struggled to start the campaign, with a G-MAC-worst 8.09 ERA. The Pioneers return two of their top four starters from 2025 in ace Jackson Phelps and Finn Schmitt, and both are a combined 3-0 despite ERAs of 6.05 and 9.60, respectively. Ben France, Ashton Snyder and Ayden Hall all have started multiple games for Malone as well, but the most intriguing player is Shane Coblentz, who also pitches and has the Pioneers' best ERA of any player with more than two appearances on the season. Coblentz has worked primarily out of the bullpen but started in the Findlay series last week, and could see his role grow considerably if he continues to excel. Landon Homan, Aydan Manning and Gage Faraguna are other frequently-used relief arms for the Pioneers.

The Chargers got conference play off to a great start last weekend in Kentucky, thanks in large part to an offense that caught fire against Thomas More. Junior Rocco Tenuta was the G-MAC North Division Player of the Week for his play against the Saints, and has a 1.247 OPS with 13 extra base hits, among the leaders in the G-MAC in both categories. Hillsdale has four other lineup regulars – Tyler Turner, Billy Porotsky, Aaron Jasiak and Gaard Swenson – hitting over .300, while Will Lehman and Nolan Coppens are important power bats and sophomore Tyler Sowers is starting to heat up after a big weekend in Kentucky as well.

On the mound, Hillsdale is piecing together a staff despite dealing with injuries and youth that have made consistency a challenge at times so far. Jacob Pallo is a reliable veteran starter who's heading the staff entering this weekend's series, while fellow junior Logan McLaughlin has been solid since moving into the starting rotation from the bullpen.

Two of Hillsdale's best pitchers so far have been relievers Patrick MacLean and Brenden Smith, who've both excelled in multiple long relief appearances for the Chargers. MacLean was named the G-MAC North Division Pitcher of the week earlier this month, while Smith looked decent in a starting role against GVSU and Missouri-St. Louis. The Chargers also have gotten strong relief appearances from Josh Novak, getting his first real playing time back from injuries that cost him his first two seasons, and Collin Lange. Winston Delp is another important reliever for the Chargers, while youngsters Isaac Scavarda, Jeff Klominek and Nate Albanese are taking on significant roles early in their careers.

Hillsdale is hoping to reinforce its staff throughout the season with players making healthy returns from injuries, including two-year starter Daniel Higdon and key relievers Aaron Jasiak and Hayden Hoffpauir, among others. Jasiak and Hoffpauir have both pitched in the last three series, with Hoffpauir having a strong outing against UMSL two weekends ago, and again last week against Thomas More.

Hillsdale has a 20-15 lead in 35 games against Malone since the two teams first met on the diamond in 2013. The two teams have split the past two series, each taking two contests last season in Canton, and two years ago in Hillsdale.