The Malone University softball team lost their first game 6-3, but rallied back to collect their first conference victory in the second game by the final score of 6-5 against Great Lake Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponent Lake Erie College on Wednesday night.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, April 18 as they travel to the University of Findlay for a pair of conference games. The first pitch is set to start at 1:00 p.m.

Game One Recap

Lake Erie would jump on the scoreboard first to take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Shortstop Alexa Holztrager registered her third home run of the season to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning.

Malone's Marionna Cane would score the Pioneers second run of the game off a sacrifice fly from catcher Erin Perko in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Pioneers ahead 2-1.

The Storm would score two runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the 3-2 lead.

Pitcher Stephanie Byrne singled up the middle to drive Mikayla Fowler across the plate to tie again at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Lake Erie would then score one run in the top of the sixth inning and score two runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the 6-3 victory.

Holztrager went 3-for-4 at the plate, collected a home run and added an RBI to lead the Pioneer offense. Allison Mercado went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and tallied one double on the game.

Game Two Recap

Byrne would get things started for the Pioneers as she doubled down the left line, driving home Holztrager in for the score to take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Storm responded right back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first, giving them the 3-1 advantage.

The top of the fourth inning was huge for the Pioneers as center fielder Emily Beck hammered her first career grand slam and her fourth homer on the season to put Malone ahead 5-3.

Lake Erie wasn't done yet, as Savannah Karako doubled to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning to score two runs to tie the game at 5-5.

First basemen Mercado would hit a strong single to center field, allowing Emily Isla to score to regain the lead 6-5 in the top of the seventh inning.

Lake Erie had one more chance to win the game, but the Pioneers were able to calm the storm in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 6-5.

Beck tallied four RBIs and a home run to pace the Pioneer offense, while Isla went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Julie Ward (2-7) tossed all seven innings and tallied two strikeouts to collect her second win at the circle.