COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Malone softball team etched out a doubleheader split on the road with one of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's (G-MAC's) top teams, the Ohio Dominican Panthers. Both games were pitcher's duels, with Ohio Dominican taking game one by a score of 2-1 and Malone picking up a 2-0 win in game two.
 
The Pioneers hold a record of 13-6-1 through 20 games in the 2021 season, and are 7-5 in G-MAC play. The Panthers are 16-11 overall and 6-4 in the conference after Friday's games. 
 
GAME ONE RECAP:
Bailey Byers and Lexi Betz reached in the first with a walk and single, but both were left stranded in the first. Kelsey Byers went 1-2-3 for the Pioneers in the circle in the bottom of the inning.
 
Two hits in the third for Malone was thwarted when the baserunner was tagged out in an attempt to score with two outs in the inning. On the other side of the field, Byers had only allowed one hit and retired nine of the first ten Panther batters.
 
In the fourth inning, both teams found the scoring column. Mikayla Kesel hit a leadoff single for the Pioneers and was advanced to second by a sacrifice bunt from Lauren Bennett. Elizabeth Dyke knocked an RBI single through the right side of the field to drive in the game's first run. Ohio Dominican manufactured a run with a pair of hits and some small ball to answer immediately.
 
Each team registered singles in the fifth, but the score remained 1-1. The Panthers took advantage of a defensive miscue to score the go-ahead run in the sixth and that would be all they need to secure the 2-1 win. Bailey Byers put herself in scoring position with a double, but would be left on.
 
GAME TWO RECAP:
Neither team allowed a baserunner until the bottom of the second when the Panthers hit a harmless single in the inning. Lauren Bennett and Mackenzie Frantz reached base with a hit by pitch and walk, but the Pioneers failed to get a timely hit with runners in scoring position.
 
Malone had another opportunity with April Howser and Mikayla Kesel in scoring position, but again the Pioneers were left without a run. The fifth inning saw a bases loaded opportunity for Malone, but all three were left on base.
 
The top of the seventh would finally prove fruitful for the Pioneers when they plated a run from a pair of walks and Panther errors.
 
Ohio Dominican made things interesting with two hits in the bottom of the seventh, but pitcher Kelsey Byers slammed the door shut to clinch the 2-0 game two victory. Byers surrendered three hits in the complete game shutout.
 
PIONEER POINTS:

• Kelsey Byers pitched 13 innings, struck out 12 batters and gave up just two runs on eight hits for the day.
• Lexi Betz recorded a hit in each game and scored in game two.
• April Howser extended her on-base streak to 15 with a game one base hit and game two walk.
• Elizabeth Dyke notched the only RBI of the day with a single that brought home Mikayla Kesel.

 
UP NEXT:
The Hillsdale series has been moved to Monday, April 12 due to the threat of rain tomorrow. First pitch will take place at 3 pm at Hillsdale.