CANTON – In their second doubleheader in two days, the Malone University softball team welcomed another Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) opponent in the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers.

Three runs in the first inning of game one helped catapult the Pioneers to a 13-5 win.

Then another early lead in game two helped finished out the sweep the doubleheader in two five inning affairs.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Game 1: Malone University Pioneers 13 – Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers 5
• Game 2: Malone University Pioneers 8 – Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers 0
• Records: Malone (8-12, 2-3 G-MAC) | KWC (7-24, 0-4 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Pioneer Softball Field

GAME ONE
The Pioneers came out of the gate strong, scoring 3 runs on 4 hits. Karlie Duvall had a single to right field before Taylor Kern went the yard to put the Pioneers up two quickly. Amber Miller then had an inside the park home run to add to the lead. 

Inning two just expanded Malone's lead. Emily Spada opened with a double and Duvall was able to bring her home on a single. Duvall would score along with Kern, Madi Pukansky, and Amber Miller all reaching the plate safely to push the lead to 8-0.

The Panthers worked to try and close the gap as they scored twice in the top of the third and 3 runs in the top of the fifth. However the Pioneers were able to walk off the five-inning victory with three of their own runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The final play of the game was Miller's single to right field to bring Halyn Cawthorne home.

Jensen Miller pitched all five innings, striking out five Panthers and earning her fourth win on the season.

GAME TWO
Halyn Cawthorne got the start for game two and struck out the first batter of the game as the Pioneers forced the Panthers to go three up – three down. Cawthorne would pitch all five innings and with the victory, she recorded her first win of her collegiate career.

Two hits helped to score two runs in the bottom of the first to help Malone gain the lead.

Quick innings for both the Pioneers and the Panthers led to the bottom of the fourth when Reagan Smith, Hannah Offenberger, and Sydney Seaman quickly loading the bases.

The Pioneers were able to score four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with a rally of singles and doubles.

Kentucky Wesleyan College tried to prevent the five inning mercy rule, but failed to score as Malone finished the sweep with the shutout victory.

DETAILS

• Taylor Kern went 5-7 on the evening, scoring five runs and had three RBIs. Karlie Duvall contributed three hits and accounted for four Pioneer runs. 
• Amber Miller and Reagan Smith each had three RBIs in game one. Miller also went 4-4 in the 13-5 victory.
• Jensen Miller struck out five in game one while Halyn Cawthorne faced seventeen batters in game two and didn't allow any walks and only allowed two hits.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers have another weekend of competition at home.

On Friday afternoon they welcome the Dragons of Tiffin University for a doubleheader with first pitch of game one at 3:00pm. Then University of Findlay will come to Pioneer Softball Field for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm on Saturday.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit www.malonepioneers.com.