The Malone University softball team improved to 4-2 on the young season with a pair of victories over two Atlantic Region opponents Tuesday, their third day at the PFX Spring Games in Central Florida. Malone overcame an early deficit to defeat Clarion University 9-3 in the opener before dispatching of Wheeling Jesuit 7-3 in the second game of the day.
 
Malone vs Clarion Recap
Clarion pounced on the Pioneers to open the game with four consecutive base hits, including an RBI double by Mackenzie Wolfe and an RBI single by Jessica Cartia to bring in two for the Golden Eagles.
 
In the bottom of the first, Malone circled the bases as well. After a single by Bailey Byers, Clarion surrendered walks to Kelsey Byers, Serena Tucciarelli and Morgan Sampsel and a hit by pitch to Nicole Ferrara. With Bailey Byers and Tucciarelli scoring on wild pitches and Kelsey Byers coming home on the hit by pitch, Emily Betts ripped a double down the left field line to drive in the remaining two runners on base to make the score 5-2 after one.
 
An Erika Johnson walk led off the bottom of the second, and Madison Corrick hit a sacrifice fly to center to put the Pioneers up 6-2. Freshman Emily Betts made it 7-2 in the third with an RBI single down the right field line that scored Tucciarelli, who reached base via her second walk of the day.
 
Clarion scored again in the fourth with a ground-rule double, followed by a ground out that advanced the runner, and crossed home on a wild pitch.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Malone struck for two more, an RBI double by Corrick followed by an RBI single by Bailey Byers.
 
Freshmen Emily Betts and April Howser both went 3-for-4 at the dish, with Betts batting in three runs. Shortstop Serena Tucciarelli also went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, her first in two seasons as a Pioneer. Kelsey Byers moved her record to 3-0 on the season, spraying three earned runs and seven hits over four innings. Samantha Fruchey earned a save in her relief appearance, giving up only one hit over three innings pitched.
 
Malone vs Wheeling Jesuit Recap
The Pioneers went up 1-0 in the top of the second inning when senior shortstop Serena Tucciarelli clubbed a solo homerun, her first in a Malone uniform over the left centerfield fence. Malone's lead did not last long, however, as the Cardinals used five hits, including a homerun and two doubles, to score a trio of runs and take a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the frame..
 
The Pioneers wasted no time in regaining the lead, scoring three times in the top of the third. A double by Madison Corrick, a triple by Bailey Byers, and RBI singles from Tucciarelli and Morgan Sampsel gave Malone a 4-3 lead.
 
Malone tacked on two runs of insurance during the fourth inning when Erika Johnson, who led off the frame with a triple came around to score on an RBI single from Corrick. A bases loaded walk by Tucciarelli later in the inning made it a 6-3 contest.
 
In the top of the sixth, Bailey Byers smashed her third homerun of the season to account for Malone's final tally. Byers finished with a homer, triple, two RBI and three runs scored. Tuccciarelli reached base three times (homerun, single, and a walk) and tied a career-high with three RBIs. Corrick and Johnson each collected two base hits and a run scored.
 
In the circle, freshman dandy Kelsey Byers (4-0) worked around the uneven second inning before earning the seven-inning complete game victory. The righty struck out a season-high 11 batters and walked just one.
 
Up Next
Malone is idle on Wednesday, but returns to the diamond on Thursday for two more games. The Pioneers square off against Seton Hill at 11:45 am before meeting Nyack at 2:00 pm.