Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Malone University softball team (2-0) posted eye-popping offensive statistics in its season-opening doubleheader at Bluefield State College Saturday, spraying 33 hits and scoring 30 runs in just 10 innings of offense thanks to two five-inning run-rule victories.

The Pioneers rolled to an 19-0 victory in Game 1 behind a five-hit performance from sophomore Alexa Holztrager. The lefty leadoff hitter doubled three times in her first four trips to the plate, driving in four runs and coming around to score four more in the process.

Sophomores Emily Isla, Marionna Cane, and Desi Hengoed each collected two hits as did freshmen Allison Mercado and Erika Gerber. Gerber drove in three runs while Mercado knocked in two. For the game, the Pioneer offense pounded out 18 hits.

Junior Jillian Coyle (1-0) had an impressive Pioneer debut in the circle, shutting out Bluefield State over five innings while surrendering just four hits and fanning six batters.

The Pioneer offense did not let up in the second game, pounding out 15 more hits en route to an 11-3 victory. Isla was the offensive hero for the Pioneers, singling in all four of her at-bats, making her 6-for-6 on the young season. Holztrager added two hits in four at-bats to complete a 7-for-9 afternoon. Mercado also added two hits in the second game of the doubleheader as did sophomore Emily Kahoun. Sophomore Katie Snoddy connected for Malone's first home run of the season, a two-run blast to left in the third inning.

Junior Stephanie Byrne picked up the win (1-0), hurling five innings and giving up three earned runs. She also collected five strikeouts while yielding seven hits.

Malone now heads to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where the squad will participate in six games in the FastPitch Dreams Tournament. The Pioneers' first game is scheduled for Monday, Mar. 3rd, against the University of Mount Union at 1:30 pm.