The Malone University softball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped on Friday as it suffered a doubleheader sweep at Hillsdale College (MI) by the final scores of 6-5 and 8-6. With the two losses, Malone falls to 14-10 on the season and 6-6 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Hillsdale improves to 13-16 overall, 7-3 in G-MAC play.
 
Game One Recap
After a leadoff triple for the Chargers in the bottom of the first inning led to the game's first run, Malone did all of its offensive damage in the top of the second to take a 5-1 lead.
 
A single by Kelsey Byers and a pair of hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Erika Johnson, who laid down a bunt but an errant throw by the pitcher allowed two runs to score. Madison Corrick immediately followed with an RBI single to plate the Pioneers' third run. Later in the inning, April Howser drove in two with a double into the left centerfield gap, giving Malone a 5-1 advantage.
 
Hillsdale chipped away at the Malone lead with with a run in the bottom of the third and then tied the game with three runs during the fourth.
 
With the game still tied in the bottom of the seventh, the Chargers put the go-ahead run into scoring position with a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt before walking-off with a blooped RBI double into shallow left field.
 
Kelsey Byers, who singled twice in the game, took the loss in the circle, falling to 12-4 on the season. Corrick and Howser each added two base hits to pace the offense.
 
Game Two Recap
The Chargers scored three runs over the first two innings before Malone got on the board with an RBI double from Madison Corrick in the top of the third. Hillsdale added three runs in fifth and two in the sixth before going to the seventh up 8-1.
 
The Pioneers scored five runs on four hits in the final inning and would send the potential game-tying run to the plate, but the Chargers eventually secured the final out and the doubleheader sweep.
 
An RBI groundout by Serena Tucciarelli, which made it 8-2, preceded an RBI single from Morgan Sampsel, a run-scoring double by Anissa Seese, and a two-run single by Caley Ritts. Down 8-6, the Pioneers came up short on their comeback bid as a flyout down the right field line ended the twinbill.
 
Madison Corrick and Morgan Sampsel each finished with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Bailey Byers added a double. Starting pitcher Allyson Gruen (1-1) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) over four innings pitched.
 
Up Next
Malone travels to take on Tiffin on Saturday (April 6th) with a doubleheader scheduled for 1:00 pm.