Softball Splits At Home With Pioneers To End Regular Season

On Sunday (April 30) at Deb Miller Field at the Archer Ballpark Complex, Ashland University's softball team went 1-1 (6-2 win, 3-2 loss in eight innings) against Malone to complete the 2023 regular season.
 
The Eagles head into the 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament at 21-27 overall and 13-11 in the league, and the Pioneers' season ends at 15-27, 8-16.
 
Ashland jumped on Malone early in Game 1, scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI triple from senior third baseman Hailey Struckman, an RBI double by sophomore designated player Lily Rockwell, and a sacrifice fly from junior catcher Jordyn Severns.
 
The Pioneers scored a run in the second, but the Eagles went back to work in the bottom of the frame, collecting an RBI triple from senior center fielder Lauren McMillin and a two-run home run from Struckman. Malone scored once in the sixth, but could get no closer.
 
In Game 2, there was no score until the bottom of the fourth, when Rockwell laced an RBI double down the left-field line, then freshman right fielder Sidney Payton added an RBI single for a 2-0 AU advantage.
 
Malone scored twice in the sixth to tie the game at 2, then took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth.
 
NOTABLES

• Game 1 saw Struckman go 2-for-3 with the triple, homer, two runs scored and three RBIs, and Rockwell go 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.
• Freshman Karis Weirich (2-4) went the last 6 2/3 innings for the win, allowing five hits, two runs and two walks and striking out three.
• The nightcap saw sophomore center fielder Laney Eller go 3-for-4. Freshman Delaney Lis (3-5) allowed two hits, a run and no walks and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings.
• All three Malone runs in Game 2 were unearned.

 
UP NEXT
The first day of the Great Midwest Tournament on Wednesday (May 3).