LITTLE RIVER, S.C. -- The Malone University softball team returned to the diamond at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Tuesday for games against Lincoln College and Keiser University. 

The Pioneers (3-1, 0-0 G-MAC) topped Lincoln College (3-3, 0-0 CCAC) 3-1 in the morning, but fell to Keiser (7-9, 0-0 SUN) in the nightcap. 

Game 1 vs Lincoln College Highlights
April Howser picked up right where she left off yesterday with a double in the bottom of the first inning to bring home Erika Johnson for the game's first run. 

After both teams went scoreless in the second, Howser came through again with a RBI single in the third to put Malone up 2-0. 

Lincoln pulled within one run with a RBI double in the top of the fifth, but the Pioneers got that run right back in their half of the inning. 

Emily Betts knocked a one-out single. She was brought home on Erika Johnson's two-out double down the left field line to make it a 3-1 game. 

That final score held the rest of the way. 

Elizabeth Dyke made her second start of the season in the pitcher's circle, and tossed a complete game to score the first pitching win of her collegiate career. 

Game 2 vs Keiser University Highlights
The Seahawks opened up the scoring with one run in the bottom of the first, but the Pioneers answered quickly. 

In the top of the second, Mikayla Kesel drilled a RBI double into left center to bring home Mackenzie Frantz. Lexi Betz followed with a single into right field to score Kesel and put the Pioneers up 2-1. 

Unfortunately Kesier responded by getting both of those runs back in the bottom of the second. They also plated four runs in the bottom of the third to go up 7-2. 

The Seahawks added the final run to their total on a RBI double in the sixth. 

Lauren Bennett came through with a RBI single in the top of the seventh, but the deficit was too much for Malone to overcome.

PIONEER POINTS

• April Howser was 5-7 at the plate with a team-high two RBIs on the day. 
• Erika Johnson and Lauren Bennett each had three hits for the Pioneers. 
• Elizabeth Dyke's complete game effort against Lincoln now gives her seven strikeouts on the season.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Malone will play Goldey-Beacom College at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, and turn right around to play Barton College at 3:30. 

Both games are set for Field #1 at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.