Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The Malone University softball team (10-18-1, 2-12 GLIAC) was swept by the GLIAC's second-place ball club, the Grand Valley State University (MI) Lakers, (22-5, 11-1 GLIAC) losing game one 13-3 in six innings and game two 5-0.
 
Grand Valley State capitalized on some shaky Pioneer defense early in the first game to go ahead 8-0 through four innings. An rbi single from sophomore Emily Isla followed by a two-run scoring single from sophomore Desi Hengoed cut the lead to 8-3 in the fifth inning but Grand Valley clinched the win with a five-run six inning to cut the game an inning short of its full length via the eight-run rule.
 
Isla was the only Pioneer to enjoy a multi-hit game, collecting two of Malone's six hits. Junior Jillian Coyle (7-8) was dealt the loss after lasting three innings and giving up six runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks. Junior Stephanie Byrne hurled the remaining 2 and 2/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits.
 
Byrne fared much better in the circle in game two shutting down the Lakers over the game's first five innings. Grand Valley State pitcher Lauren Gevaart was equal to the task tossing up five consecutive zeroes as well to send the game into the sixth inning scoreless.
 
The Lakers were the first to crack the opposing pitcher, scoring the game's first run on a two-out double in the top of the sixth inning. Malone put the tying-run in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth when Hengoed reached base on a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Malone would leave her stranded. Grand Valley State then responded in the next frame with four runs on six hits to make the final score 5-0.
 
Byrne pitched 6 and 1/3 innings, surrendering all five runs on 10 hits to fall to 3-10 on the season. Isla, Hengoed, sophomore Alexa Holztrager and freshman Allison Mercado notched the four Malone hits.
 
Malone will participate in their third road doubleheader in as many days tomorrow when they face Ashland University at noon.