March 5, 2008

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Pioneers Sweep Doubleheader With Cedar Crest (PA), Clobber Alvernia (PA) 13-1

Malone vs. Cedar Crest (PA) Box Score (Game One) - 03/05/08

Malone vs. Cedar Crest (PA) Box Score (Game Two) - 03/05/08

Malone vs. Alvernia (PA) Box Score - 03/05/08

The Malone College softball team notched three victories Wednesday on the second day of its spring break trip to the Disney Challenge in Orlando, Florida. The Pioneers opened Wednesday’s competition with a doubleheader sweep of Cedar Crest (PA) College, winning 2-1 in game one before taking game two in five innings by a final score of 9-0. Malone then wrapped up the day with a convincing 13-0, six-inning triumph over Alvernia (PA) College. The Pioneers’ overall record now stands at 4-1 following Wednesday’s three impressive victories.

In game one versus Cedar Crest, the Falcons scored in the top of the first inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Malone fought back to knot the contest at 1-1 in the bottom of the third on a two-out RBI single by sophomore outfielder Morgan Heacock (Mt. Gilead H.S.) and then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a run-scoring single by sophomore outfielder Laura Blackburn (Thomas Worthington H.S.). These two runs were all junior starting pitcher Ashleigh Ralston (Wadsworth H.S.) would need as she shutout Cedar Crest over the final six innings to preserve the 2-1 win and earn her first victory of the season (1-1). Ralston tossed a total of seven innings, giving up just the one run on five hits while striking out three.

In game two against the Falcons, Malone took command early with four runs in the top of the second inning. The Pioneers tacked on another run in the third to stretch their advantage to 5-0 and then put the game away with four more runs in the top of the fifth. Senior starting pitcher Kathryn Bzdafka (Avon Lake H.S.) went the distance on the mound for Malone in the 9-0, five-inning victory earning her first win (1-0) of the year after surrendering just one hit and striking out one batter. The Pioneers smacked 12 hits in the contest as Ralston went 3-3 with a RBI single and a three-run homer. Senior outfielder Ashlee Locker (Strasburg H.S.) went 3-3 with two runs batted in and freshman infielder Sarah Kosmos (Northwest H.S.) ripped a pair of singles with three runs scored and one stolen base.

In Wednesday’s finale with Alvernia, Malone scored three times in the top of the first and once in the top of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The Crusaders plated a run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 4-1, but the Pioneers then exploded for nine runs over the next two innings to pull away for the 13-1, six-inning win. Freshman pitcher Jessica Krska (Norton H.S.) went the distance on the mound for Malone, earning her second victory of the year (2-0) after surrendering one run on four hits while striking out four and walking none. Blackburn went 2-2 at the plate with three RBI while Heacock and freshman outfielder Elizabeth Sarkissian (Twinsburg H.S.) each stole two bases and scored three runs.

The Pioneers will wrap-up their trip to Florida with a pair of games on Thursday. The squad will face Rochester (MI) College at 9:00 a.m. before taking on Webber International (FL) University at 4:30 p.m.

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