April 19, 2008

Pioneers Fall To Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Geneva

 
The Malone College softball team participated in two non-conference games at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon, losing to Mt. Vernon Nazarene University 4-1 in the first contest before dropping a 5-4 decision to the host Golden Tornadoes in the second game.  Following the pair of defeats, the Pioneers' record now stands at 12-18 overall with a 6-8 mark in the American Mideast Conference North Division.
 
In Saturday’s neutral contest against Mt. Vernon Nazarene (19-13 overall), the Cougars jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage with a run in the bottom of the first inning.  MVNU then added an unearned run in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth to stretch its lead to 4-0.  Malone cut into the deficit with a run in the top of the seventh but the squad was unable to complete the comeback, falling by the 4-1 final.  Senior pitcher Kathryn Bzdafka (Avon Lake H.S.) started and took the tough loss (3-7) after giving up only one run on four hits over three innings pitched.  The Pioneers managed just three hits in the contest as freshman infielder Sarah Kosmos (Northwest H.S.) ripped a pinch-hit single in the seventh and later came around to score Malone’s lone run on a Cougar fielding error.
 
Geneva (22-12 overall) committed seven errors in Saturday’s second game but still managed to hang on for a 5-4 victory.  The Golden Tornadoes jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Malone used two hits and four Geneva fielding miscues to score four runs in the top of the sixth inning.  The hosts quickly reclaimed the lead, though, with a run in the bottom of the frame and then held the Pioneers off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh to secure the 5-4 win.  Junior Ashleigh Ralston (Wadsworth H.S.) tossed a complete game for Malone, suffering the loss (6-7) after giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings of work.  The Pioneers tallied four hits in the contest as freshman catcher Karre Thompson (East Canton H.S.) led the way, going 2-for-4 with one run scored.
 
This week, Malone (12-18 overall, 6-8 AMC North) will travel to Notre Dame (OH) College (15-9 overall, 6-4 AMC North) on Monday afternoon for a 4:00 p.m. make-up doubleheader.  The squad will then host another pair of make-up games on Saturday against Carlow University (12-10 overall, 5-5 AMC North) at 2:00 p.m.  Saturday will be Senior Day as seniors Kathryn Bzdafka, Holly Christopher (Garfield H.S.), Ashlee Locker (Strasburg H.S.), Becki Martin (Lakewood H.S.), and Jenna Vrabel (Ursuline H.S.) will be recognized prior to the opener.
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