The Malone University softball team lost a pair of close conference games against Ohio Valley on Friday. Malone lost game one 4-2 before dropping game two 8-7.
 
Game One Recap
 
The Pioneers took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after back-to-back singles by Madison Corrick and Maria Mokler to start the game. Corrick and Mokler took part in a double steal to move up to second and third, and they would each advance again on a wild pitch that scored Corrick. Mokler scored moments later on a sacrifice fly from Emily Beck.
 
Ohio Valley got on the board in the third inning, scoring one run on three hits and a Pioneer error. The Fighting Scots tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning to take the lead 4-2, a score that would hold for an Ohio Valley victory.
 
Game Two Recap
 
The Pioneers started off game two in similar fashion to game one, taking a 2-0 advantage ignited by a Madison Corrick single. However, this time Corrick crossed home plate on a two-run homer from Emily Beck.
 
Ohio Valley answered back in a big way in the second inning, scoring four runs on five hits and an error by Malone. The Fighting Scots scored on an error, walked in a run, and scored on several singles in the inning.
 
Malone was not to be outdone, and came back with a four-run inning of their own in the second inning to regain the lead. With two outs and one on, the Pioneers began their rally. Madison Corrick singled through the left side, scoring Shelby Hulin from third. Kendall Reidenbach reached base after being hit by a pitch, bringing Emily Beck to the plate. Beck belted her second straight homerun of the game, to put the Pioneers up 6-4.
 
Ohio Valley added on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, tying the game back up at six runs apiece. Malone quickly regained the lead once more in the top of the fifth with Ashley Beck scoring on a Mikayla Fowler single. The Pioneers led 7-6 going into the bottom of the fifth.
 
Ohio Valley answered back one final time, this time for good, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take an 8-7 lead for the win. Malone had two runners on base with just one out in the seventh inning, but the team was unable to get a tying run across the plate.
 
Up Next
 
The Pioneers will be back in action on Saturday for two more against Ohio Valley.