BRIDGEPORT, W.V. – The Malone University softball team won over Bluefield State University on Saturday morning by a score of 4-2. The Pioneers were scheduled to play Salem University as well, but that game was canceled due to cold temperatures. After the win, Malone is 3-1 on the season and Bluefield State falls to 4-9.
 
Lacie Quarles and Ella Collinsworth each singled and stole a base to put the Pioneers in scoring position in the top of the first. Emma Oshel drove in a run with a groundball out to make it 1-0. Two-out magic from Jessie Crookston (double) and Caylee Selley (RBI single) extended the lead to 2-0 in the next frame.
 
The starting pitcher Allie Weilnau got out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout, one of six she had for the game. The shutout remained for the Pioneer pitcher until the fifth when the Big Blue finally scratched across a run.
 
Collinsworth had an RBI triple in the top of the fifth to go up 3-0 before Bluefield State had two cross the plate. A sacrifice fly and a wild pitch cut the Malone lead to just one at 3-2. Zoe Lesch provided an insurance run with an RBI single to right center field.
 
The Big Blue loaded the bases in their final set of at-bats in the seventh, but a mound visit from Head Coach Jeff Hite cooled the temperature in the room for Weilnau and a flyout to center field secured a 4-2 victory. Weilnau allowed ten hits, but just two runs to go 2-0 as a pitcher.
 
Quarles and Collinsworth had multi-hit games (2-for-4). Crookston also reached base twice with a hit and walk. Five different student-athletes stole a base.
 
A schedule change now has Malone and Lincoln University playing at 12:00 P.M. at the Regional Roundup.