Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University softball team split its home doubleheader against the University of Mount Union on Tuesday afternoon.  The Pioneers dropped the opener 2-0 before using a six-run third inning to pull away for a 7-2 triumph in game two.

Following Tuesday's action, Malone moved to 3-12 overall while the Purple Raiders' record now stands at 8-10.

The Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday when the squad travels to Fairhaven Park in Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against Point Park (PA) University.

Game One Recap
In the opener, Mount Union scored the only runs of the game in the top of the first inning.  Following a one-out walk and an infield single, the Purple Raiders got on the scoreboard with a double steal.  A two-out passed ball later in the inning then allowed Mount Union second baseman Amy Brown to dash home with her squad's second and final run of the game. 

These two early scores would prove to be all the offense Purple Raider pitcher Rachel McAninch would need as she tossed a four-hit shutout.  McAninch struck out seven and walked two over her seven innings of work to improve to 4-5 on the season.  The Pioneers' best scoring chance came in the second inning as second baseman Desi Givens ripped a one-out double to left and then later moved to third on a passed ball.  However, McAninch managed to work out of the jam by striking out the next two Malone batters.

Malone freshman pitcher Stephanie Byrne nearly matched McAninch's shutout performance as she held the Purple Raider offense at bay over the final six innings.  Byrne was saddled with the loss (1-3) following her third complete game of the season despite allowing just six Mount Union hits while striking out six.

Game Two Recap
The Pioneers took command of the finale with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the third inning.  The first eight Pioneer batters reached base in the frame. After Malone got on the scoreboard with an RBI single by centerfielder Megan Lane and a bases-loaded walk by Givens, shortstop Kristen Atzenhoefer delivered the big blow, driving in three runs with a bases-loaded triple to left.  Third baseman Kelsee Locker then completed the third-inning scoring by chasing home Atzenhoefer with a single to centerfield.

The Pioneers later tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as Locker led off the frame with another single to center and then came around to score on a double by first baseman Lauren Hershberger.

Mount Union first baseman Leigh Siedlak scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth and later ripped a solo homer in the top of the sixth but it was not enough to overcome the Pioneers' sizable advantage.

Pitcher Shelby Snyder started for Malone and picked up her first win of the season (1-5) after limiting the Purple Raiders to the two runs on six hits over the first six innings.   Snyder struck out a career-high eight while walking just two.  Reliever Nicol Chesley then entered the game in the seventh and tossed a scoreless inning to cement the victory.

Seven different Malone batters tallied base hits in the contest, led by Hershberger and Locker, who each tallied two hits in three at-bats.