The Malone University softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader in their opening weekend of the 2020 season. Malone was shutout by Concord (WV) by a score of 6-0 and were only able to knock one hit against the defending NCAA Division II National Champion Augustana (SD) in a 9-0 loss in five innings.
 
The Pioneers are 0-2 overall after the first day of competition in the PFX Spring Games. Concord (WV) holds a record of 7-3-1 after the game against the Pioneers and are 2-1 in the Spring Games. Top-ranked Augustana (SD) advances to 10-3 this season, 2-1 in the Spring Games.
 
Malone vs Concord (WV) Recap:
The longball doomed the Pioneers in game one as the Mountain Lions connected on four homeruns in the game. Pitcher Kelsey Byers struck out the first three hitters she faced in the top of the first inning.
 
In the top of the second, Concord made the most of the slightest of opportunities. A runner reached base after an error and Darby Fitzpatrick made the Pioneers pay with a two-run blast. Byers recovered to accumulate two more strikeouts in the inning.
 
Jenna Witt went deep to lead off the top of the third, and Skylar Jenkins did the same to make it 4-0 Concord. Emily Betts drew a walk in the third, but she was left stranded.
 
Samantha Fruchey entered the circle to pitch in the fourth inning and escaped a bases loaded jam without any more damage. Back-to-back singles by Bailey Byers and April Howser gave Malone runners on first and third with nobody out, but were caught stealing trying to advance on a throw down to second.
 
Madi Cupp hit a solo homerun in the top of the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the seventh gave the Mountain Lions some insurance and led to a 6-0 win.
 
Malone vs NCAA DII #1 Augustana (SD):
After a clean first inning, freshman Elizabeth Dyke drew a walk in her first collegiate at-bat in the top of the second, but was left on base in the frame. The Vikings of Augustana put three runs across in the bottom of the second thanks to a double, homerun and an RBI single later in the inning.
 
Augustana added five more runs in the bottom of the third to take a commanding 8-0 lead. Three of the runs were unearned in the inning.
 
Dyke, who was the designated player, came in to pitch for Kelsey Byers in the fourth and the Vikings added an extra run.
 
Consecutive walks by Lexi Betz and Morgan Sampsel put two runners on and Lauren Bennett loaded the bases with her first collegiate hit, but all three runners were stranded as the game would end on a run rule.