Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
For the second consecutive GLIAC doubleheader, the Malone University softball team (10-16-1, 2-10 GLIAC) walked away with a split, downing the Ferris State University Bulldogs 5-4 in the first game before falling in the second game by a score of 12-8.
 
The Pioneers stormed out to a 3-0 lead through two a half innings in game one, aided by a solo home run from sophomore Desi Hengoed in the third inning.
 
Ferris State battled back to make the score 3-2 entering the sixth inning, but sophomore Alexa Holztrager helped push the lead back to three runs, first scoring on an error in the sixth inning and then driving in an rbi double in the top of the seventh.
 
The Bulldogs mounted one final rally, plating two runs in their last at-bat, but with runners on second and third with two outs and trailing by a run, Ferris State's Casey Bias grounded out to third to preserve the win for junior pitcher Jillian Coyle. With the victory she moved to 7-6, tossing the full seven innings and giving up three earned runs.
 
Freshman Allison Mercado paced Malone with a 2-for-4 performance and an rbi, while sophomore Emily Kahoun joined Holztrager, Hengoed, Coyle and Mercado in the rbi column.
Ferris State held a slight edge in hits at 9-7.
 
Malone appeared on the verge of a sweep in the twinbill, storming out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning thanks to a first inning grand slam from Mercado. The lead was short-lived, however, as starting pitcher Stephanie Byrne was tagged for seven runs in the second inning, chasing her from the game in favor of Coyle.
 
Malone answered with one run in the second inning, courtesy of a Mercado rbi single and two in the third, the result of a two-run blast from sophomore Katie Snoddy, to put Malone back in front 8-7. Unfortunately, Ferris State cracked Coyle in game two, scoring five runs over the last four innings to dismantle Malone's hopes of their first GLIAC sweep. Coyle fell to 7-7 with the loss.
 
Mercado finished the game 2-for-4 with a game-high five rbi's. Snoddy also added two hits and two rbi's and sophomore Emily Isla chipped in with two hits. Ferris State outhit Malone 14-10 for the game.
 
The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader at Grand Valley State University starting at 1:00 pm.