Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University softball team notched a pair of convincing run-rule victories on Saturday in its American Mideast Conference doubleheader at Ursuline College. The Pioneers won the opener 9-1 in five innings before registering a 13-3, six-inning triumph in game two. Due to the unpredictable spring weather in Northeast Ohio, the location of Saturday's games changed twice leading up to the match-up, but the late switch of venue did little to affect the Pioneers' bats as Malone pounded out a combined total of 30 hits in the afternoon's 11 innings of action. The Pioneers' overall record improved to 10-11 with the doubleheader sweep as the squad kept its unblemished conference record intact at 4-0. Ursuline, meanwhile, dropped to 3-10 overall and 1-3 in the AMC.

Malone posted solo runs in each of the first two innings to grab an early lead in game one. RBI singles in the top of the fourth by pitcher Brittany Larch and centerfielder Elizabeth Sarkissian pushed the Pioneer lead to 4-0. A pair of Ursuline errors then helped Malone put the game out of reach with a five-run fifth. The Arrows brought home one run in the bottom of the inning with a two-out triple but Larch retired the next batter on a groundout to cement the mercy-rule win. Larch improved her record to 4-3 on the season after allowing the one run (unearned) on three hits while striking out four. She also helped her own cause at the plate with two hits and two runs scored. Sarkissian and rightfielder Brittany Stevenson both went 3-for-4 at the plate with one run scored and two RBI's apiece.

Designated player Karre Thompson put the Pioneers in front 1-0 in the top of second inning of game two after blasting a solo homer over the leftfield fence. Ursuline knotted the game with a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning before the Pioneers pulled ahead 7-1 with two runs in the third and four more runs in the fourth. The Arrows brought home two runs in the bottom of the fifth to trim the deficit to 7-3. However, Malone then put the game out of reach by scoring six more times in the top of the sixth. The Pioneers racked up 18 hits in the contest as all nine members of the Malone batting order registered at least one base hit. Third baseman Megan Lane went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Sarkissian and Stevenson each totaled three hits for the second straight game. Shortstop Kristen Atzenhoefer drove in three runs with a two-run double and an RBI single. Second baseman Lauren Hershberger ripped a pair of doubles while Thompson added an RBI double in the sixth to go with her solo homer. Pitcher Jessica Krska picked up the win, improving her record to 4-2 on the season after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits over the first five innings.

Malone will look to keep rolling on Tuesday when the squad hosts a 3:30 p.m. AMC doubleheader against local rival Walsh University.