CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University softball team dropped both games against Northwood University on Friday, 4-2 and 9-1. The Pioneers are now 20-10 overall and 5-5 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). The Timberwolves are now 13-17 overall and 6-6 in the conference.
 
GAME ONE RECAP:
Northwood attempted an early lead in the top of the first but a strikeout from Mia Rose left two on base. A sacrifice bunt from Morgan Cantrell put Marlee Pireu on second. An RBI single from Rose put the Pioneers in front 1-0.
 
The Timberwolves answered in the top of the second after a double, single, and fielders' choice. In the top of the third, Northwood would extend their lead to 4-1 after three hits. The bottom of the fourth saw Malone leave three runners on base to keep the score at 4-1. Two were left on in the bottom of the fifth with hits from Pireu, Sidney Conti, and Rose. To end the game at 4-2, Pireu hit a homerun in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Pireu and Rose were each 2-for-3 at the plate, both with an RBI. Rose (11-5) took a loss after pitching seven innings. She tallied six strikeouts on the game.
 
GAME TWO RECAP:
The first hit of the game did not come until the top of the third. The Timberwolves had six hits in the inning to account for five runs. Amber Miller slugged a triple then Madi Pukansky had a single to drive in Miller to make the score 5-1. The Pioneers attempted to comeback but were left with three on to end inning three.
 
Northwood extended their lead to 8-1 in the fourth with the help of five singles. To end the game in five innings at 9-1, the Timberwolves scored run nine off a two-out triple.
 
Miller, Pukansky and Cantrell were responsible for the team's hits. Masyn Baker (5-3) took the loss after throwing 3.1 innings. Sydney Hillyard (0-0) pitched 1.2 innings in relief.
 
UP NEXT:
Malone will host another G-MAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 11 against Hillsdale College. Game times are at 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.