NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Muskingum University swept an Ohio Athletic Conference softball doubleheader from Marietta College Sunday (April 22) afternoon at Donna Newberry Field. The Muskies posted wins of 6-2 and 8-7 improving to 23-9 overall and 9-7 in the OAC. The Pioneers slip to 15-17 overall and 7-9 in the OAC.
Muskingum scored a run in each of the first three innings to build an early 3-0 advantage. The Pioneers plated two runs in the top of the fifth to get within one, 3-2, only to see the Muskies score three in the home half of the frame.
Gabrielle McNeill (3-0) got the win for Muskingum. She started and threw 4.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits. McNeil walked three and struck out one. Haylea Debolt earned a save with 2.2 innings of one-hit, shutout relief.
Jackie Mulvain (Warren, Ohio/Champion) (7-6) started and got the loss for the Pioneers. She pitched 4.0 innings and gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits. Mulvain walked three and struck out two.
Hannah Richardson (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central) pitched 2.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits.
Ali Prologo (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and
Jordan Pallay (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) each had RBI singles in the fifth for Marietta. Prologo was the lone Pioneer to record two hits in the game.
Kayla Alderson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) added a double.
Muskingum's Melissa Maiorano smacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Muskies in front, 8-7. Muskie relief pitcher Sarah Turek took over in the circle and kept the Pioneers off the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh for her first save of the season.
The teams traded leads throughout the game with Muskingum jumping out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Marietta answered with four runs in the top of the second. The Pioneers led 5-4 in the fifth and 7-5 in the sixth.
Hannah Duff started in the circle for Muskingum and tossed 1.1 innings. She gave up four runs on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Rachel Eberling (9-5) took over and got the win working 3.2 innings. Eberling gave up three runs on seven hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.
Turek threw the final 2.0 innings and allowed one Pioneer hit. She walked one and struck out two for the save.
Maddi Liston (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) (4-7) started and got the loss for the Pioneers. She threw 5.0 innings and was charged with eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits. Liston walked four and struck out two. Richardson threw 1.0 inning of perfect relief.
Reagan Tom (Chandlersville, Ohio/Philo) went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI to lead the Marietta offense.
Erin Miller (Woodsfield, Ohio/Monroe Central) also went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Alyssa Cook (Akron, Ohio/Ellet) had two hits and two RBI, while Pallay finished with two base hits.
Marietta returns home to host Denison University on Wednesday (April 25) in a nonconference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
