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The Malone University softball team won both games of its home opener against Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Tuesday afternoon, taking the opener 9-1 in five innings before claiming game two by a 3-0 final. With the doubleheader sweep in their first American Mideast Conference games of the season, the Pioneers improved their overall record to 8-11. The Cougars, meanwhile, slipped to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

A two-out RBI single put MVNU in front 1-0 in the top of the third inning of game one. However, this early score would turn out to be the Cougars only run of the afternoon. Malone quickly took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Leftfielder Sarah Samblanet brought home the first two runs of the frame with a single to center. The Pioneers then tacked on two more scores as, with two outs, Cougar outfielders dropped back-to-back fly balls that would have ended the inning. Leading 4-1, Malone then put the contest out of reach with a five-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth. Samblanet got things started once again, this time with an RBI double to center. Catcher Laura Ronk, third baseman Kelsee Locker, and second baseman Nicole Eshelman each followed with two-out RBI singles to complete the big inning. MVNU was then unable to cut into the eight-run deficit in the top of the fifth, resulting in Malone's five-inning, run-rule victory. Pitcher Brittany Larch picked up the win (3-3) after allowing just the one run on four MVNU hits. Centerfielder Elizabeth Sarkissian went 3-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs from the leadoff spot for Malone. In addition, Samblanet and Ronk each ended the game with two hits in three at-bats with one run scored apiece.

Pitcher Jessica Krska tossed a five-hit shutout to lead Malone to a 3-0 win in the finale. Krska struck out one and walked two over her seven innings of work to improve to 3-2 on the season. Rightfielder Brittany Stevenson crossed the plate with the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on a double steal attempt. An RBI single by designated player Kelsee Locker plated Ronk with the second run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Samblanet then tacked on an insurance run in the fifth with a two-out single through the left side of the infield. Seven different Pioneers recorded base hits in the game as Stevenson and Samblanet led the way by going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

Malone will be back in action on Thursday when the squad travels to New Concord, Ohio for a 3:30 p.m. non-conference doubleheader against Muskingum University (6-11 overall).