COCOA BEACH, Fla. - For the third straight day of competition in Florida, the Malone University softball team went 1-1. The Pioneers are now 7-5 with a victory 4-1 against Bemidji State University (6-16) and a 7-3 loss at the hands of West Chester University of Pennsylvania (4-8).
 
MALONE vs BEMIDJI STATE RECAP:
A pair of singles plated the first run of the game for the Beavers in the first and from there, neither offense was able to get going until late. The 1-0 deficit stood for Malone despite hits by Hallie Miller, Sydney Seaman, Amber Miller and Alyssa Hochstetler.
 
In the top of the fifth, Jessie Crookston connected for a solo homerun to get back to even at 1-1. In the top of the seventh, Head Coach Jeff Hite utilized his bench to produce the go-ahead run. Pinch hitter Marlee Pireu led off the final inning with a double and Crookston followed that up with another run-scoring hit, this time an RBI double. Sidney Conti and Masyn Baker provided additional run support via a single and sacrifice fly.
 
Pitcher Summer McCaw used the 4-1 lead to her advantage and completed the game in the seventh to move to 2-1 in the circle. The freshman struck out nine and allowed just one run on five hits and did not walk a batter. Crookston (2-for-4) and Hallie Miller (2-for-3) had multiple hits for the offense. Amber Miller reached three times in a 1-for-2 game with two walks.
 
MALONE vs WEST CHESTER RECAP:
An early hole was cause for concern after Malone surrendered four runs in the top of the first (two earned). The Pioneers got one back in the second after an Aricka Young single and Crookston double set up Halyn Cawthorne for a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.
 
The Golden Rams extended their lead to 6-1 in the fifth with the help of an RBI double and passed ball and 7-1 via a pair of hits in the sixth. Mia Rose led off the bottom half of that frame with a double, and back-to-back singles by Crookston and Cawthorne got the Pioneers to within four at 7-3. The offense stalled out from there in the loss.
 
Rose (3-3) pitched all seven innings and struck out eight batters. She allowed eight hits and seven runs, but only four were earned. Rose was one of three student-athletes with an extra-base hit, the others being Young and Crookston. The later two recorded multiple hits and were both 2-for-3.
 
UP NEXT:
The spring break trip concludes on Thursday, March 12 with games against D'Youville University (4:45 P.M.) and Northern State University (7:00 P.M.).