Canton, OH – Over the last couple of days, the Malone University Softball team hosted the Ohio Dominican University Panthers and the Ashland University Eagles for a pair of crucial doubleheaders with the Pioneers postseason fate in the balance. The Pioneers secured splits in each series to punch their ticket in the 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament. 

Friday vs. ODU

THE ESSENTIALS

• Game 1: Ohio Dominican University Panthers 2 – Malone University Pioneers 5
• Game 2:  Ohio Dominican University Panthers 12 -- Malone University Pioneers 3
• Records: Malone 27-17 (12-12 G-MAC) | Ohio Dominican 31-11 (17-7 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, OH 

GAME ONE
Battling with Ashland University for the 8th and final spot in the 2024 G-MAC Conference Tournament, the Pioneers welcomed the 3-seeded Ohio Domincan University Panthers for a crucial doubleheader on Friday, April 26th. The Panthers appeared that they may overpower the struggling Pioneers as they opened the game with a pair of runs to take an early 2-0 lead. Coach Jeff Hite and his ladies had different plans. Faith Yoho and Sidney Conti each ripped open an RBI single in the home half of the first to even things out. Mia Rose provided an electric performance as she shook off her first inning woes and proceeded to dominate the potent Panther lineup. After plating the early pair, the Panthers offense only mustered five hits over the next six innings. The Pioneers on the other hand took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Rose helped her own case with an RBI single that plated Senior Emily Spada. In the ensuing 6th, Amber Miller plated a pair of insurance runs with an flashy 2-run triple. Rose brushed off a Panther threat in the top of the 7th and secured the 5-2 Malone victory. 

GAME TWO
The Pioneers were not so fortunate in Game 2 as the Panthers opened the 1st with a pair of runs, anchored by a Malone error. While Halyn Cawthorne singled home Rose to cut the deficit in half, the Panthers rattled off 6 unanswered runs. Daylie Rickard stopped the bleeding with an RBI single and Taylor Kern launched her 7th home run of the year. Ultimately, 15 hits and 6 Pioneer errors gave the Panthers a 12-3 win. 
 
Saturday vs. AU 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Game 1: Ashland University Eagles – Malone University Pioneers 4
• Game 2:  Ashland University Eagles -- Malone University Pioneers 8
• Records: Malone 28-18 (13-13 G-MAC) | Ashland 19-26 (12-14 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, OH

GAME ONE
Following their split on Friday, the Pioneers found themselves needing a strong performance and some help in order to reach the postseason. Sitting at 12-12, the Pioneers were being pursued by Walsh University (11-11 entering play on Saturday) and Ashland (11-13 entering Saturday). Ohio Dominican did their part as they swept Walsh, ensuring the Cavaliers missed the playoffs, meaning that Malone now controlled it's destiny. The Pioneers simply needed to split with the Eagles and they did just that. Game one started out picture perfect for the Pioneers as Reagan Smith and Lacie Quarles each drove home a run with singles in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Eagles battled back as they plated runs in the 3rd and 6th to tie things up at 2 a piece. Faith Yoho stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 6th with Sidney Conti occupying the base path for the Pioneers. Yoho provided the biggest swing of her young collegiate career as she doubled home Conti, ultimately securing the game and the Pioneers spot in the postseason. 


GAME TWO
The Pioneers looked to complete the sweep as they countered an early Eagle run with a trio of runs provided by a Halyn Cawthorne RBI double and Conti 2-run single. The Eagles tied things up in the 6th and then ultimately erupted for six runs in the 7th, securing an Eagle victory via a 9-3 final. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mia Rose earned both of the Pioneer wins. Rose pitched a pair of complete games, struck out 11 total batters, and only allowed 3 earned runs. 
• Amber Miller led the way with 6 total hits and a pair of RBI's. 

UP NEXT

The Pioneers await the official bracket release as they will be playing next Wednesday, May 1st at Firestone Stadium in Akron, OH. First pitch TBD.

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