Canton, OH – On Friday afternoon the Malone University Pioneers Softball team hosted the Hillsdale College Chargers.
The Pioneers ultimately dropped the pair, as they moved to 16-6 on the season.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Game 1: Hillsdale College Chargers 5– Malone University Pioneers 1
- Game 2: Hillsdale College Chargers 5 -- Malone University Pioneers 0
- Records: Malone 16-6 (2-2 G-MAC) | Hillsdale 16-8 (2-0 GMAC)
- Location: Canton, OH
GAME ONE
Either team struggled to generate offense in a classic pitchers dual. The Pioneers threatened in the third inning as they had two on with one out, but a double play squandered their opportunity. They threatened again in the next inning following back to back singles by
Grace Kissick and
Halyn Cawthorne. A pair of strikeouts snuffed out the threat for the Chargers. Hillsdale produced the only offense of the game in the 5th inning, following a run scored on a wild pitch, the Chargers loaded the bases with only 1 out. A Charger grand-slam gave them a lead of 5-0.
Taylor Kern homered in the bottom of the 6th to cut into the deficit. Despite the Pioneers best efforts, Hillsdale ultimately took Game 1.
GAME TWO
Unfortunate timing and costly mistakes highlighted Game 2 for the Pioneers. Despite scratching out 10 hits, the Pioneers were unable to plate any runs as they were shutout on the day offensively. Down 3-0, the Pioneers had bases loaded in the third inning with one out. Following a fielders choice and a strike out, the Pioneers were unable to close the gap. The Chargers grabbed two more in the top of the seventh, and while the Pioneers had bases loaded with no outs, they were unable to push any runs across. Hillsdale ultimately took Game 2 by a score of 5-0.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mia Rose finished Game 2 with 8 strikeouts, bringing her season total to 116 (12 starts). This moves her into 5th all-time on Malone's single-season strikeout list, as she surpassed Ann Peterson's 113 K's (20 starts) achieved in 1999 . Grace Kissick added 7 more strikeouts of her own.
- Lacie Quarles and Halyn Cawthorne led the way with 3 hits a piece. Taylor Kern, Mia Rose, and Madi Pukansky each had a pair of hits.
UP NEXT
The Pioneers stay at home as the Northwood University Timberwolves will come to town on Monday, March 25th. Game 1 start time is TBD.
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