The Malone University softball team split a double-header with Ursuline on Wednesday afternoon. Ursuline took game one by a score of 6-0. Malone won game two 3-0. The Pioneers move to 10-16-1 on the season and 2-5 in the conference.
 
Game One Recap
 
The Pioneer offense could not get things going in game one. The team only had two hits in the game against Ursuline's Brittany Humbel. Humbel pitched both games for Ursuline and struck out 24 batters between the two games.
 
Malone's two hits in the contest came from Kendall Reidenbach, who hit a single to left in the third, and Mikayla Fowler, who hit a single up the middle in the fourth.
 
Mackenzie Lebeda, the catcher for the Arrows, hit a solo shot in the second inning to take the early 1-0 lead. Lebeda went 4 for 4 from the plate in game one.
 
Ursuline would add two runs on five hits in the fourth, one run in the fifth inning, and two runs in the seventh to seal the 6-0 victory.
 
Game Two Recap
 
Both the Pioneer offense and defense had a short memory from game one, and turned around to have a highly successful outing in game two. Allyson Gruen pitched a complete game shutout with the help of her teammates behind her for the 3-0 victory.
 
All three runs for Malone came in the second inning. The team scored three runs on five hits and an Ursuline error. Emily Beck led off the inning with a single. Mikayla Fowler laid down a beautiful bunt for a single that moved Beck from first to third. A greats sacrifice bunt by Madison Corrick moved Fowler into scoring position for Caley Ritts. Ritts delivered with a single to the shortstop, scoring Beck and giving the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead. Taylor Lauer bunted for a single that loaded up the bases. Allison Mercado stepped up the plate as a pinch hitter and delivered big time. Mercado's single to right scored Fowler and Ritts for the 3-0 lead that would hold for victory.
 
Fowler, Ritts, and Gruen all had multi-hit games for a Pioneer team that racked up ten hits in the game.
 
Up Next
 
The Pioneers will be back in action at home this weekend against Davis & Elkins.