Justin Malenosky, also known as “Malo” joined the Sioux City Explorers as the Head of Grounds in the summer of 2024.
Malenosky has been connected to the Sioux City baseball community in many different ways.
He has been a member of the Morningside Mustangs’ coaching staff since the 2019-20 campaign. Before joining the Mustangs’, he spent 15 seasons as a coach with the Briar Cliff Chargers’ baseball program. Both being local NAIA baseball programs which play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference here in the Midwest.
During his time coaching for BCU, he also served as a member of the coaching staff for the Sioux City Explorers for two seasons throwing batting practice and filling in as the first base coach.
Prior to BCU, Malenosky spent several years at various levels coaching in the Sioux City East High School baseball program and as head coach of Woodbury Central High School, where he led the Wildcats to back-to-back Western Valley Conference tournament appearances and “20 win” seasons.
As a player for Briar Cliff, Malenosky recorded a remarkable Charger playing career as a four-year starter and three-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. As a hitter, he compiled 632 career at-bats while only striking out a total of 37 times. Malenosky finished his collegiate career with 15 home runs, a .555 slugging percentage, and a batting average of .394, which is the third highest in Briar Cliff history for players with a three-year minimum of at-bats. He is tied atop of the career doubles chart with 57 and is fourth in career hits (249) and RBI’s (168). In 2009, Malenosky was inducted into the Briar Cliff University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Malenosky’s parents have been known for being part of the local Morningside Little League for over 35 years where his mom has served as League President and his father has served as State Coordinator as well as District Administrator. Needless to say: Malo grew up on a baseball field in Sioux City and enjoys his time working at the field throughout the summers!