In the first game, MVNU (5-5, 2-0 AMC) broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Junior first baseman Michelle Gastin (left) doubled in the first run, senior third baseman Karly Clay added a two-run double, and senior Kylie Rupert added an RBI-single to shortstop as the Lady Cougars built a 4-0 lead.

The visiting Lady Pioneers (5-13, 1-3 AMC) cut the deficit in half in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI-triple by Morgan Heacock and a run-scoring double by Laura Ronk to trim the lead to 4-2.

Then, in the top of the sixth inning, Malone pulled within 4-3 on an RBI-single by Kristen Atzenhoefer. However, that would be as close as the Lady Pioneers would get as MVNU prevailed 4-3.

Senior right-hander Candace White (5-4) earned the victory as she scattered 10 hits and three runs (two earned) over seven innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

Lauren Hershberger (4-3) took the loss as she allowed seven hits, three walks, and four runs over six innings with one strikeout.

Seven different Lady Cougars had one hit apiece with Clay and Gastin each registering a double. Meanwhile, Ronk, Atzenhoefer, and Hershberger each had two hits for Malone.

The Lady Pioneers jumped on the scoreboard first in the second game as Malone took advantage of two errors and used two hits to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Atzenhoefer drove in one run with a double, while Beth Ramey added a two-run single.

MVNU got two of the runs back in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI-double by Gastin and an error by the Lady Pioneers. Then, the Lady Cougars knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning on another run-scoring double by Gastin.

Malone moved back on top 4-3 in the top of the fourth inning when Atzenhoefer plated a run with a fielder’s choice. However, MVNU broke the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Lady Cougars sent nine batters to the plate and strung together five hits to go with two errors as MVNU scored five runs to take an 8-4 lead. Gastin had a two-run double - her third of the game - and junior shortstop Tasha Konkle and freshman designated hitter Jennifer Gulley each added an RBI-single each to propel the Lady Cougars to the victory.

White (right) notched her second victory of the day as she allowed just one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings of relief that included one strikeout. Freshman right-hander Meagan Brookes started and did not retire a batter as she gave up two hits, one walk, and three runs (one earned). Sophomore lefty Stephanie Burlew worked five innings of relief and scattered six hits and three walks as she gave up just one run with one strikeout.

Katie Kesler (1-6) took the loss as she allowed 10 hits and seven runs (just two earned) over 5.1 innings with one strikeout. Jessica Krska recorded two outs and gave up three hits and an unearned run.

Offensively, Gastin led MVNU by going 3-for-4 with three doubles and four RBI. Junior outfielder Leslie Banichar added four hits, while sophomore second baseman Kristin Kurelic had two hits and scored two runs.

Heacock paced Malone with three hits, while Laura Blackburn finished with two hits. Atzenhoefer and Ramey each drove in two runs apiece.

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Wednesday when MVNU will host Ohio Dominican University in another AMC doubleheader that will get under way at 4:00 p.m.