BRISTOL, Tenn. - On the second day of the King Invitational, the Malone University softball team split their games after a loss to West Liberty University 4-1 and a 5-0 victory against King University. The Pioneers come out of the opening weekend with a 3-1 record, while the Hilltoppers of West Liberty are 1-2 and Tornado of King 6-4.
 
MALONE vs WEST LIBERTY RECAP:
Malone got on the board in the bottom of the first via a Mia Rose two-out RBI double. West Liberty got that run back in the top of the third with a single, two stolen bases and a sacrifice fly.
 
Starting pitcher Masyn Baker exited the game to start the fourth inning, but the Hilltoppers put up three runs on Summer McCaw (0-1) to take the lead at the halfway point of the game. That score would hold for the final three and a half innings to get to the 4-1 final score.
 
The pitching staff allowed just five hits and struck out ten (five each) despite loss. Jessie Crookston had two of Malone's three hits in game one, the other belonged to Rose. Crookston was the lone batter to reach base multiple times.
 
MALONE vs KING RECAP:
Game two of the day was a pitcher's duel over the first four innings. Rose took the ball and threw a complete game for the Pioneers and did not allow a walk. The Tornado put runners on base in each of those four frames, but could not do any damage.
 
In the top of the fifth, Lacie Quarles came through for a clutch hit, a double that scored Amber Miller who previously reached on a walk. Morgan Cantrell added a second run in the half inning with a two-out single.
 
The lead increased to 5-0 when Cantrell cleared the bases with a three-run double. Madi Pukansky and Quarles drew walks and an error put Marlee Pireu on base for Cantrell to drive in. King struck for three in the seventh to cut the gap to two at 5-3, but Rose was able to slam the door shut on their comeback effort for her second pitching win of 2026.
 
Pireu and Cantrell had two hits in the game and Quarles came around to score twice, a team-high. The Pioneers were out-hit 10-7, but timely success in the batter's box was the difference for the road team.
 
UP NEXT:
Malone is off next week, but returns to action at Salem University on February 27.