Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University softball team tallied a 1-1 record on Thursday afternoon in its American Mideast Conference doubleheader at Notre Dame College. The Falcons, who entered the day in first place in the conference standings, rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to record a 4-3 win in game one. The Pioneers managed to bounce back in the finale, though, using a big seven-run fourth inning to pull away for a 9-4 triumph. Following Thursday's split, Malone's record moved to 15-18 overall and 5-5 in the AMC while NDC is now 14-18 overall with a 7-3 mark in conference play.

Game one remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when Malone pulled ahead with three runs. Catcher Laura Ronk led off the frame with a double to right-center and then came around to score the first run of the game when the next batter of the inning, shortstop Kristen Atzenhoeferr, ripped a double down the leftfield line. Later in the inning, designated hitter Kelsee Locker delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single through the right side of the infield to make the score 3-0. Malone loaded the bases in both the fifth and sixth innings but was unable to add to its lead. The Falcons tied it in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly and then won it in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh when NDC second baseman Kelli Lennox scored from third on a one-out bunt single by shortstop Felisha Jones. The Falcons were held hitless through the first four innings by pitcher Brittany Larch, but then broke through late, totaling nine walks and five hits. Larch worked the first five innings, left the game midway through the bottom of the sixth and then re-entered in the seventh. Larch suffered the loss (7-7) after being credited with the four runs during her 5.1 innings of work. Pitcher Jessica Krska relieved Larch in the sixth and helped contain the Falcon rally by retiring three of the four batters she faced. Locker paced the Pioneer offense, going 3-for-3 with three singles.

Malone broke a 1-1 tie in game two with its seven-run outburst in the top of the fourth. Seven base hits and four Falcon fielding miscues fueled the big inning. Ronk brought home two runs in the frame with a double to right-center while Atzenhoefer and leftfielder Sarah Samblanet each added RBI singles. Notre Dame cut the deficit to 8-4 with a solo run in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth before the Pioneers wrapped up the scoring in the top of the seventh when pinch runner Katy Carr crossed the plate on a delayed steal. Starting pitcher Shelby Snyder picked up the win (2-5) after working the first six innings, striking out six and walking none. All nine members of the Pioneer batting order recorded at least one hit in the contest. Larch, playing at first base, went 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored. Samblanet also tallied three hits in four at-bats. Rightfielder Brittany Stevenson notched two singles and two stolen bases while Ronk went 2-for-5, including the big two-run double in the fourth.

Weather permitting, the Pioneers are slated to return to action on Friday with a 3:00 p.m. AMC doubleheader at Cedarville University. The Yellow Jackets entered Thursday in third place in the conference standings with a 6-4 AMC record. Fans that cannot be in attendance can follow Friday's action on-line with live audio and statistics courtesy of the Cedarville Sports Information Department.