Softball wins first two games

Junior Katie Malone throws out a pitch early in Sunday’s game against St. Gregory. Malone pitched a no-hitter through seven innings to help the Shockers win 10-3 after 10 innings.

The Wichita State University softball team won their first two fall games against St. Gregory on Sunday and WSU Alumnae on Saturday.

Sunday’s game against St. Gregory proved to be an eventful one for the Shockers. With 10 runs scored on 20 hits and only two errors, there wasn’t an ounce of regret left on the field.

“We had some great executing at the plate,” head coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “We had great at-bats and some hard hits.”

Offensively, junior Katie Malone, a right-handed pitcher from Crete, Nebraska, stood out the most among the pitching staff. Through six innings, she pitched a no-hitter and said she’s excited about what’s to come for WSU.

“I’m always a little nervous when I first get started,” she said. “I’ve done well my freshman and sophomore year, but I want to come out better this year.”

With two games under her belt, she’s done just that, but she remains confident in not only her abilities, but the team’s abilities as well.

“I know that no matter what happens, the team has my back,” Malone said.

Other than the pitching staff, WSU’s offense reigned supreme and senior Paige Mason proved it — with a grand slam late in Sunday’s matchup, she tallied up two homeruns and five RBIs with only three at-bats.

“As a whole we did really well,” Mason said. “We have a strong offense and a really good defense with only two errors during the entire game. I’m confident in our defense and pitching staff.”

Saturday’s game against the Alumnae was also eventful for the Shockers. Even though the Alumnae were able to score a couple of runs late in the game, the Shockers won 4-3.

“The Alumnae game is always a fun time for our girls,” Bredbenner said.

In the mean time, things are still up-in-the-air position wise for WSU, but Malone is excited about the rest of the season.

“We really utilized some people [on Sunday],” she said. “[Sunday] was a good spark for our team.”

The shockers will be back in action at noon on Sept. 26 in C. Howard Wilkins Softball Complex against Creighton University.