On day two of the Malone University softball trip to Florida, the Pioneers won the opening game against Wayne State College 9-1 in five innings, but lost their second outing of the day versus Concordia University-St. Paul by a score of 9-4. Concordia used a 5-run fifth inning to secure the win.
 
Malone vs Wayne State Recap
Malone got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after a lead-off triple from Madison Corrick, followed by a sacrifice fly by Bailey Byers. Byers would do damage in the third inning as well, hitting a 2-run homerun to give the Pioneers a 3-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Morgan Sampsel would reach via an error and advance to second off a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Ferrara. A single by freshman Emily Betts gave Malone a pair of runners on base. Erika Johnson hit a bunt single that scored Sampsel, and an errant throw by the Wildcats would plate Betts, extending the lead to 5-0. Corrick kept the train rolling with an RBI single to left.
 
In the fifth, Wayne State would score their lone run of the ballgame, but the Pioneers struck right back by scoring three more in the bottom half of the inning. Back-to-back-to-back singles by Serena Tucciarelli, Morgan Sampsel and Nicole Ferrara loaded the bases for Malone. Two batters later, Corrick hit her second triple of the game to drive in all three to seal the 9-1 run-rule victory. The junior centerfielder finished 3-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs in game one.
 
Freshman Kelsey Byers starts her collegiate career with two consecutive victories in the circle. She pitched all five innings, giving up one earned run on three hits and four walks, striking out three.
 
Malone vs Concordia-St. Paul Recap
After a scoreless first and second innings, Malone took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third after a two out single from Madison Corrick followed by a two run blast by Bailey Byers. An RBI double and a sacrifice fly by Concordia would tie the game up at two.
 
In the top of the fifth, a pair of unearned runs would come across to score for the Pioneers to give them a 4-2 lead. The Golden Bears unloaded in the bottom half, plating five runs (four unearned) off four hits, and taking advantage of four Malone errors. Concordia would add two more insurance runs in the sixth off four base hits.
 
Morgan Sampsel pitched four innings for the Pioneers, giving up two runs on six hits in a no-decision. Designated hitter Kellsea Morrison went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI triple.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow with a game against Clarion University followed by a contest with Wheeling Jesuit University. First pitch for the Clarion game is set for 1:45 pm and 4:00 pm for game two.