The Malone College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader at Urbana University on Tuesday afternoon as the squad fell by a 4-3 final in game one before bouncing back in the nightcap to record a 5-3 victory.  Following Tuesday’s games, the Pioneers overall record now stands at 6-4 while the Blue Knights moved to 6-6 on the year.

 

Malone entered the bottom of the sixth inning in the opener with a 2-0 lead before the Blue Knights plated a pair of runs to knot the score at 2-2.  Sophomore second baseman Leslie McCammon (Wadsworth H.S.) then clobbered a solo home run in the top of the seventh to put the Pioneers back in front 3-2, but Urbana once again rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring runs on consecutive two-out base hits to secure a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory.  Freshman pitcher Jessica Krska (Norton H.S.) started on the mound for Malone and earned a no decision after tossing five innings, giving up two runs (one earned).  Senior pitcher Kathryn Bzdafka (Avon Lake H.S.) sat down three straight Blue Knight batters in the sixth, but then took the loss (1-2) after surrendering the tying and winning runs in the seventh.  The Pioneers tallied four hits in the contest as freshman catcher Karre Thompson (East Canton H.S.) and senior shortstop Holly Christopher (Garfield H.S.) each smacked doubles. 

 

Despite the tough loss in game one, Malone was able to turn the tables in game two as the squad scored three times in the top of the seventh inning to record a come-from-behind 5-3 victory.  Urbana held an early 1-0 advantage in the nightcap before the Pioneers pulled ahead with two runs in the top of the sixth.  The Blue Knights responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead, but the visitors then rallied back with a three-run seventh to regain the advantage at 5-3.  The Blue Knights threatened in the bottom of the seventh by loading the bases with no one out, but Krska then entered the game in relief and induced a double play and a fly out to preserve the exciting victory with her first career save.  Junior pitcher Ashleigh Ralston (Wadsworth H.S.) started the game on the mound and notched her third win of the season (3-2) after working six innings, surrendering three runs on nine hits while striking out two.  The Pioneers smacked nine hits in game two as Christopher went 2-4 with a run-scoring single and two runs scored.  Sophomore outfielder Laura Blackburn (Thomas Worthington H.S.) contributed with a pair of doubles and senior third baseman Jenna Vrabel (Ursuline H.S.) drove in two runs with a two-out double and a bases-loaded walk.