Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University softball team tallied a 1-1 record Wednesday afternoon in a pair of non-conference games at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. The Pioneers pocketed a 4-2 victory in the opener before the host Cougars bounced back with a 4-1 win in game two. Malone's overall record moved to 12-15 following Wednesday's doubleheader while MVNU now holds an overall mark of 7-15.

Pitcher Brittany Larch tossed a complete game in the opener, surrendering just two unearned runs over her seven innings of work. Malone got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when pinch runner Katy Carr came home to score on a two-out single to center by rightfielder Brittany Stevenson. Malone then tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth. Larch got things started with a two-out single and then moved to second when shortstop Kristen Atzenhoefer was hit by a pitch. Third baseman Kelsee Locker chased home Larch with a single to center before first baseman Lauren Hershberger came through with the Pioneers' third two-out hit of the inning, a two-run single to center. MVNU cut the deficit in half with a pair of two-out singles in the bottom of the frame but was unable to complete the comeback as Larch worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh to cement the Malone victory. Larch struck out three and walked two, improving her record to 5-5 on the season. Hershberger led the way at the plate, tallying two of the Pioneers' seven singles.

A pair of Malone errors in the bottom of the fourth inning of game two helped the Cougars pull in front 2-0. The Pioneers cut the deficit in half with an unearned run in the top of the fifth before MVNU pushed its advantage to 4-1 with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the inning. Malone led off the top of the seventh with a walk and a single but the Pioneers were unable to manufacture any additional offense as the Cougars sat down the next three batters in order to cement their three-run triumph. Pitcher Jessica Krska started in the circle and suffered the loss (4-3) after allowing four runs over the first five innings. Catcher Laura Ronk paced the Pioneer offense by tallying two hits in three at-bats.

Malone will be back in action on Friday afternoon with a 3:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock (PA) University. Fans that cannot be in attendance can follow the action on-line with live statistics courtesy of the SRU Sports Information Department.