CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University softball team dropped both games of a home doubleheader on Friday versus Trevecca Nazarene. It was the first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) games for both squads and the pair were coming off of long layoffs as well.
 
Malone now has a record of 6-3-1 overall and 0-2 in conference action. Trevecca Nazarene advances to 10-6 in 2021 and are 2-0 in G-MAC play.
 
GAME ONE RECAP:
The Pioneers dropped game one to the Trojans 11-1 in five innings. Four singles in the first six hitters for Trevecca Nazarene allowed them to plate two in the top of the first inning. Malone cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning, as April Howser plated Bailey Byers with a two-out single up the middle.
 
Trevecca got two more across in the second off of a pair of Pioneer errors to take a 4-1 lead. Emily Betts reached base with a two-out base hit in the second, but was stranded on base.
 
Two solo homeruns and a two-run blast spread out over the third and fourth innings ballooned the lead to 8-1 and a three-run, four-hit top of the fifth allowed the Trojans to secure the run-rule victory 11-1.
 
GAME TWO RECAP:
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, Trevecca Nazarene picked up right where they left off offensively in game one by scoring four runs in the top of the first in the second matchup. The Trojans added a fifth run in the second via a two-out hit with a runner on third.
 
April Howser led off the bottom of the second with a double to the center field fence, but was left stranded after three consecutive outs.
 
The trend of two-out damage continued for Trevecca Nazarene in the third as the Trojans took an 8-0 advantage with two hits and an error with two away. Trevecca added an insurance run in the fourth with three hits in the frame.
 
Erika Johnson reached on a base on balls and a third hit by Howser on the day put runners in scoring position, but again, the Pioneers were unable to score. Facing a similar situation in the third following a Morgan Wilhelm single and Lauren Bennett walk, Malone was able to scratch across their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth off the bat of Bailey Byers.
 
PIONEER POINTS:

• April Howser reached base in four of her five plate appearances on the day. The junior third baseman was 2-for-3 with two walks and drove in the only run in game one for her fourth RBI of the season.
• Erika Johnson was the only other Pioneer to record a hit in both games, going 1-for-2 in game one with a sacrifice bunt, and 1-for-3 in game two.
• Morgan Wilhelm recorded her first collegiate hit in game two with a single as the designated player.
• Bailey Byers drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, making her the team leader in RBIs with 10.

 
UP NEXT:
Malone looks to bounce back with a doubleheader at Pioneer Softball Field on Saturday, March 27. First pitch for game one will be at noon.