BUFFALO, NY - The Malone University Softball program traveled to Buffalo, New York for a non-conference match up with the D'Youville University Saints. The Pioneers battled fiercely in game one but fell in a 2-1 final. Game two was all D'Youville as they froze out Malone via a 9-1 final. The Pioneers fell to 17-9 on the year while remaining 5-5 in GMAC play.
GAME ONE
Amber Miller opened the first contest with a lead off single. Although she was able to snag second, Malone was unsuccessful in moving her any further.
Mia Rose struggled early as runners advanced to third base in each of the first two innings, however, she dug in deep and escaped the trouble each time. The first runs of the day came in the third for each team as Malone struck on an
Aricka Young RBI single, scoring Miller following a throwing error by the Saints. D'Youville answered with an RBI single of their own, leaving the score knotted up at one a piece. The Saints pushed another run across in the bottom of the fourth and that proved to be the decider. Malone threatened in the sixth with runners on first and third with no outs, yet they were unable to bring the tying run home.
Rose secured a trio of strikeouts but issued a career high eight walks as she dropped to 7-6 on the year, her 2.27 ERA remains eighth in the GMAC while her 95 strike outs place her second overall. Miller led Malone with three hits as she scored the only run for the Pioneers.
GAME TWO
The Pioneers struck first in game two as
Madi Pukansky brought home
Marlee Pireu with an RBI single in the top of the second. From there, the Saints took over with five runs in the bottom of the third. Malone never threatened the rest of the way and D'Youville tacked on four more to take a 9-1 victory, walking it off via run rule in the bottom of the fifth.
The Lady Pioneers are back at home on Friday, April 11th for a GMAC doubleheader versus cross-town rival, the Walsh University Cavaliers. Opening pitch is slated for 3:00 P.M.