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The Malone University softball team suffered losses of 7-1 and 4-1 at home Friday afternoon in its American Mideast Conference doubleheader against local rival Walsh University. Cavalier starting pitchers Erin Ebert and Kelsey Ford came up big for the visitors as each picked up complete-game victories after limiting Malone to a combined total of two runs and 10 base hits over the course of the afternoon. Malone's record slipped to 12-17 overall and 4-4 in the AMC following Friday's tough defeats. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, climbed over the .500 mark, improving to 13-12 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

A big six-run third inning proved to be the difference for Walsh in the opener. Malone jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as centerfielder Brittany Stevenson led off the frame with a single through the left side of the infield, moved to second on a passed ball and then came around to score on a double to left by leftfielder Sarah Samblanet. The one-run advantage would not last, though, as the Cavaliers took command in the third with the big blow coming on a two-out, bases-loaded double by leftfielder Chelsy Testa. Walsh then tacked on another run in the fourth with an RBI groundout to make the score 7-1. Malone put at least one runner on base in each of the final six innings but was unable to add to its first-inning score. Ebert scattered six Malone hits, improving her record to 4-6 on the year. Starting pitcher Jessica Krska suffered the loss (4-4) for the Pioneers after surrendering five runs over the first 2.2 innings.

Walsh designated player Erica Kreiling staked the Cavaliers to an early lead in game two after ripping a two-out, two-run homer to left center in the top of the first inning. Samblanet cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third with a two-out double to left-center. The score then remained unchanged until the top of the seventh when Walsh used a walk and three base hits to tack on a pair of insurance runs. Malone brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Ford escaped the jam after knocking down a hard-hit line drive that was headed back up the middle and scooping the ball to first, just in time to get the Pioneer batter and end the game. Ford allowed one unearned run on four hits to improve to 6-3 on the year. Brittany Larch started in the circle for the Pioneers and suffered the loss (5-6) after giving up the four runs on nine hits over her seven innings pitched. Stevenson reached base twice on Walsh fielding errors and scored Malone's lone run in the third inning.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to South Euclid, Ohio for a 3:00 p.m. AMC doubleheader against Notre Dame College. Fans that cannot be in attendance can follow the action on-line with free live statistics courtesy of the NDC Sports Information Department.