The Malone University softball team split of pair of non-conference contests at West Liberty University (WV) on Tuesday as the Pioneers posted a 7-2 victory in game one but fell 4-3 in the nightcap.  With the 1-1 mark on the day, Malone's record moved to 1-3 on the year while the Hilltoppers went to 8-10 overall.
 
Game 1 Recap
 
Malone jumped out to a 3-0 lead after its first two at-bats as the Pioneers scored one run in the top of the first on a throwing error and then tallied two runs in the top of the second frame as shortstop Alexa Holztrager doubled down the left field line for a two-RBI blast.
 
The hosts got one back in the bottom half of the second and also in their half of the third, to cut Malone's lead to 3-2, before the visitors struck again in the top of the fourth, with a pair of runs, on an RBI single by second baseman Ashley Beck and also an unearned run later in the inning.
 
Leading 5-2 heading into the top of the fifth inning, Malone scored the game's final two runs as leftfielder Marionna Cane drilled an RBI double to left center while rightfielder Mikayla Fowler drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Cane.
 
Cane led the team in hits in game one with two (in three at-bats) while Holztrager's two RBI's were tops for the Pioneers in that category.  Malone doubled up on the hosts 10 to five in total hits for the game.
 
Pioneer starting pitcher Stephanie Byrne went the distance, allowing just the five hits in seven innings while allowing just one earned run.  In addition, she struck out three batters while walking two.
 
Game 2 Recap
 
In game two, the Hilltoppers pocketed a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning before Malone recorded two runs of its own in the top of the third to tie the contest at 2-2. The runs came on a walk by catcher Emily Isla, which sent Fowler across the plate, and on a wild pitch which caused Holztrager to  take home plate.
 
After WLU took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth, the Pioneers again knotted the score in the top half of the fifth on an RBI single by Isla.
 
But the hosts would post the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning to tally the 4-3 win.
 
Pioneer starter Kari Hall, who pitched the first four innings, took the loss as she gave up four hits and three earned runs (with four strikeouts and four walks) while Julie Ward came on for two innings of relief, allowing three hits and one earned run (with one strikeout).