Game 1 Box Score  |  Game 2 Box Score

The Malone University softball team lost both games of its home doubleheader against Walsh University on Tuesday afternoon, falling by a final score of 10-0 in the five-inning opener and 13-6 in game two. 

The Pioneers' overall record fell to 4-16 with the pair of tough defeats while the Cavaliers improved to 15-11.

Malone will be back in action on Thursday with a 3:30 p.m. road doubleheader against Ursuline College (6-6 overall).  The Arrows will provide a live audio broadcast of the twinbill on the Ursuline Sports Network.

Game One Recap
Walsh starting pitcher Erin Ebert tossed a two-hit shutout in game one, striking out eight without issuing a walk over her five innings pitched.  Malone pitcher Nicol Chesley drove a single up the middle in the third for the Pioneers' first base hit.  Second baseman Desi Givens then added an infield single in the bottom of the fourth.

The Cavaliers took command in the top of the second inning, plating six runs with the help of three costly Malone errors.  Walsh then added two runs apiece in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure the run-rule victory. 

Chesley suffered the loss (1-6) after giving up the six runs (all unearned) through the first 1.2 innings.

Game Two Recap
The visitors held an early 3-0 advantage in game two before Malone pulled ahead with a five-run fourth.  After designated hitter Kelsee Locker got the Pioneers on the scoreboard with an RBI fielder's choice and a Cavalier error allowed leftfielder Sarah Samblanet to trot home with the second run of the inning, rightfielder Michelle Heacock put Malone on top by blasting a bases-loaded double to the fence in left. 

Walsh quickly answered back, though, pulling in front 10-5 with a seven-run outburst in the top of the fifth.  Cavalier second baseman Dana Brown delivered the big blow, ripping a three-run triple into the gap in right-center.

Malone got one run back in the bottom of the fifth, but the hosts were unable to inch any closer before Walsh put things out of reach with three runs in the top of the seventh.

Ebert entered the game in relief and picked up her second win of the afternoon (8-5) after giving up one unearned run over 2.1 innings of work.  Malone pitcher Shelby Snyder started and took the loss (2-6) after tossing the first 4.1 innings.

Walsh followed up a 16-hit performance in game one with 14 hits in game two.  Six different Pioneers tallied one hit apiece in the finale, led by shortstop Kristen Atzenhoefer who went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.