The Malone University softball team lost its opening game in the G-MAC Tournament versus Tiffin University on Thursday morning 1-0. The Pioneers bounced back to secure a victory against second-seeded Trevecca Nazarene University in an elimination game later in the day, keeping the Malone season alive by a score of 3-1.
 
The updated bracket can be seen on the G-MAC Championship webpage.
 
Malone vs Tiffin Recap:
From first pitch, this game was a pitchers' duel all the way. Malone's Kelsey Byers and Tiffin's Sarah Klein were dealing from the circle and both tossed complete games.
 
In the top of the first, Malone hitters went down 1-2-3. In the bottom half, a hitter reached via a walk, but Byers struck out the side to end the inning.
 
The first hit of the game came in the third when Caley Ritts hit a line drive down the left field line that a diving Dragon could not come up with. A sacrifice bunt got the runner to second, but the Pioneers could not hit her home.
 
Tiffin did not record a hit until the bottom of the fourth. The lead off hitter singled up the middle and a sacrifice bunt advanced her to second. A pop out to the pitcher was the second out, and a two-out single to right field brought in the only run of the game for Tiffin.
 
A bunt single by Caley Ritts in the bottom of the fifth was the only other hit for the Pioneers in the game.
 
A pair of singles for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth gave Tiffin a chance to extend the lead, but the runners were left stranded and the score remained 1-0.
 
Malone went down in order in the sixth and seventh innings to end the game. Kelsey Byers received the loss, dropping her record to 18-8 on the season. She pitched six innings and struck out seven.
 
Malone vs Trevecca Nazarene Recap:
Malone overcame their offensive woes in the opening game and scored a run in the top of the first. Malone is 11-4 in games this season when scoring in the first inning.
 
Madison Corrick hit a single up the middle to open the second game of the day and she was pushed to third base on a groundout to the right side by Bailey Byers. An infield single by April Howser made it first and third with one out, and Serena Tucciarelli grounded out to second base and brought in Corrick.
 
In the second, Caley Ritts continued her hot hitting and laced a double just out of reach of the first baseman's glove and down the right field line. She made it to third on a groundout by Nicole Ferrara but was left in scoring position.
 
After retiring the first eight Trojan hitters, Kelsey Byers surrendered her first baserunner of the game in the third on a single through the right side. Bailey Byers fired a laser to second base on a steal attempt to throw her out during the next at-bat.
 
Corrick and Byers reached base to begin the top of the fifth and were advanced to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by April Howser, but both runners were left on. They were two of five runners who were left in scoring position for the Pioneers, seven left on base overall.
 
The Pioneers added on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth to make the score 3-0. A pair of walks put two runners on. Later in the inning, Madison Corrick connected with a ball that landed just short of the left center field fence and brought across both baserunners.
 
Trevecca Nazarene would not surrender and in the bottom half of the sixth, plated a run of their own. The Trojans loaded the bases with nobody out after a single, double and a walk with first base open. With the Pioneer infield playing in on the left handed hitter, Lenna Robinson hit a bloop single over Howser and Tucciarelli that dropped for a hit.
 
Kelsey Byers was not rattled in the circle, as she forced a groundball that cut down the runner at the plate, a pop out on the infield, and a strikeout to close the frame with little damage.
 
The Pioneers went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh and Trevecca Nazarene was down to their final three outs to keep their season alive. A lead-off walk brought the tying run to the plate, but the Trojans could not do anything with it and a pair of infield pop outs sealed the deal for Malone.
 
Byers picked up her 19th win of the season Thursday afternoon after throwing seven innings and allowing one run on four hits and three bases on balls.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers continue their tournament run on Friday at Firestone Stadium against Kentucky Wesleyan College. The start time is TBA depending on the weather.