BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- The Malone University softball team opened up their 2023 season on Tuesday with a doubleheader at Salem University.
The Pioneers were shutout in the first game, but responded in a big way in game two to earn a split of the doubleheader.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Game 1: Salem University Tigers 1 - Malone University Pioneers 0
- Game 2: Malone University Pioneers 4 - Salem University Tigers 2
- Records: Malone (1-1, 0-0 G-MAC) | Salem (3-1)
- Location: Bridgeport, West Virginia | The Bridge Sports Complex
GAME ONE
The Tigers kept the Pioneer offense in check for nearly the entire game.
Elizabeth Dyke notched the team's lone hit, a single in the top of the first inning. Unfortunately the Pioneers were unable to capitalize.
Malone's best scoring opportunity came in the top of the fourth when
Taylor Kern led off the inning by reaching on an error. She was thrown out trying to score later on in the inning however which kept the Pioneers scoreless.
Dyke got the game one start in the pitching circle. She pitched a complete game and was tagged for just one earned run, but that was all Salem needed to pick up the 1-0 win.
GAME TWO
Things did not come easy for Malone's offense early on in the second game, but that all changed late.
The Tigers jumped on the Pioneers in the first inning by scoring two runs on three hits.
Jensen Miller settled in after that, and held Salem in check the rest of the way.
In the top of the fifth inning
Karlie Duvall launched a three-run home run that plated both
Hannah Offenberger and
Amber Miller to put Malone up 3-2.
The Pioneers got an insurance run on
Reagan Smith's sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth.
Miller worked around a pair of Tiger base runners in the seventh to close out the 4-2 win for Malone.
DETAILS
- Karlie Duvall had the only multi-hit performance of the day for Malone. She finished 2-7 at the plate with the one home run and three RBIs
- Jensen Miller and Elizabeth Dyke combined to strike out nine Salem batters on the afternoon. Miller led the way with five in game two.
WHAT'S NEXT
Malone will travel to Fairmont State University on Tuesday for another doubleheader.
First pitch with the Falcons is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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