2008 Season Recap
Softball Compiles 14-22 Record, Narrowly Misses Out On PostseasonThe Malone College softball team, led by third-year head coach Angela Seders, completed its 2008 campaign with a record of 14-22 overall and an 8-12 mark in the American Mideast Conference North Division. The Pioneers ended the regular season in a three-team tie with Point Park (PA) University and Carlow (PA) University for the final AMC playoff spot. However, because Point Park possessed the best head-to-head record amongst the three teams, Malone lost the tiebreaker and therefore narrowly missed out on qualifying for the postseason.
The Pioneers opened the year by notching a 5-1 record during their spring break trip to the Disney Challenge in Orlando, Florida. The squad then returned to action in late March looking to sustain its early season success but the wintry Northeast Ohio weather and some tough competition put the brakes on Malone’s fast start as the Pioneers preceded to drop 13 of their next 16 contests. Despite this tough three-week span that stretched from late March until mid-April, Malone refused to give up on the season and fought back into the playoff picture by winning six of their final 10 AMC North contests.
One of the squad’s biggest victories of 2008 came in the last game of the season as the Pioneers won a thrilling nine-inning contest on the road against local rival Walsh University by a final score of 7-6. The extra-inning triumph gave the Cavaliers just their second North Division loss of the year and set the stage for the eventual three-team tie for third place in the divisional standings.
Several Pioneers turned in outstanding individual performances this year including sophomore outfielders Morgan Heacock (Mt. Gilead H.S.) and Laura Blackburn (Thomas Worthington H.S.). Heacock collected All-AMC North First Team and NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) All-East Region Honorable Mention accolades after batting .315 and pacing the squad with 34 hits, 28 runs scored, four triples, and 17 stolen bases. Blackburn, a 2008 All-AMC North Second Team and NCCAA All-East Region honoree, compiled a .330 batting average and posted team-highs for doubles (12), runs batted in (23), and slugging percentage (.511).
Leading the way on the mound this season was junior pitcher Ashleigh Ralston (Wadsworth H.S.), who garnered All-AMC North Second Team and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention recognition. Ralston appeared in 20 of the Pioneers’ 36 games and notched an 8-8 record with a 3.98 earned run average over 88 innings of work. She also contributed at the plate with four doubles, one home run, and 11 RBI’s in 40 at-bats.
Freshman catcher Laura Ronk (St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S.) and freshman middle infielder Sarah Kosmos (Northwest H.S.) were both voted All-AMC North Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-East Region after their strong 2008 efforts. Ronk, who also represented Malone on the All-AMC North Freshmen Team, provided solid defense behind the plate throughout the year while registering seven doubles, three triples, 14 runs batted in and eight stolen bases. Kosmos scored 15 runs and paced the squad in both batting average (.351) and on-base percentage (.422).
Also making an immediate impact in their first collegiate seasons were freshman utility player Karre Thompson (East Canton H.S.) and freshman pitcher Jessica Krska (Norton H.S.). Thompson, an All-AMC North Second Team honoree, spent time at catcher, first base, and designated player this season, tallying four doubles, one homer, and 13 RBI’s in just 74 at-bats. Krska was voted NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention after tossing 78.0 innings and ending the year with a 3-4 record and a team-best 3.86 ERA.
In addition, five Pioneers were also recognized for their hard work in the classroom. Ralston, senior first baseman Rebekah Martin (Lakewood H.S.), and junior third baseman Caitlin Ott (Glendale, AZ) were each named 2008 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athletes while Ralston, Martin, Ott, senior shortstop Holly Christopher (Garfield H.S.) and senior centerfielder Ashlee Locker (Strasburg H.S.) were all tabbed as NCCAA Scholar Athletes.
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