The Malone University softball team swept GLIAC opponent Lake Superior State University for the first time in school history (MI) by the final scores of 11-0 and 9-8 on Friday afternoon. The games took place at Fisher Stadium, the home field of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.

The Pioneers will play at Northwood University tomorrow (Saturday) at 1:00 p.m.

Game One Recap:

Designated hitter Abbie Hughes got the Pioneers rolling in the top of the first inning as she notched a double to right center, bringing home Ashley Beck and Alexa Holztrager for the early 2-0 lead.

In the top of the third inning, Ashley Beck hit the RBI single to drive home Mikayla Fowler to score Malone's third run of the game.  

Hughes would tally another RBI as she grounded out to the second baseman, allowing Fowler to score another run in the top of the fifth inning. Two plays later, Kerri Manley singled up the middle, letting Ashley Beck and Holztrager cross home plate to increase their lead to 6-0.

The Pioneers closed out the game scoring five runs in the top of the sixth inning to seal the extraordinary 11-0 victory in six innings.

Pitcher Kari Hall played excellent from the circle as she only allowed six hits, no walks, and finished with eight total strikeouts. She tossed her third shutout of the season.

Fowler finished with an outstanding hitting performance as she went 3-for-4 at the plate, collected three runs scored, two doubles and one RBI.

Ashley Beck went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, notched three runs scored and one RBI.

Hughes went 3-of-4 from the plate, belted out four RBI's and a double.  

Game Two Recap:

The second game was a completely different story as both Malone and Lake Superior State went back-and-forth on scoring throughout the game.

The Lakers recorded their first run in the top of the first frame, but then the Pioneers struck right back as Hughes slammed her first two-run homer of her career to give Malone the 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the first frame.

Lake Superior State gathered two more runs in the top of the second frame to make it 4-2. However, Fowler responded right back in the bottom of the second frame with a RBI double to tie the game at 4-4.  

LSSU added one run in the third and another in the fourth to retake the lead to 6-4.

Malone tied the game again at 6-6 after scoring one run in the fourth and one in the fifth frame.

The Lakers regained the lead once again after Lindsey Pajo recorded a RBI single up the middle in the top of the sixth frame.

The Pioneers would take advantage of the Lakers fielding errors in the bottom of the sixth as Hulin busted her way from second base to home to tie the game for the fourth time at 7-7.

Lake Superior State's Jenna Holt notched a RBI single to take the 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Malone fought their way back to the top, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 9-8 victory.   

Hughes belted her first career homer, generated three RBI's, and collected two runs scored.

Shelby Hulin went 2-for-3 at the plate and tallied three runs scored.

Emily Isla went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and added one run scored.