After shifting game sites to avoid inclement weather, Lourdes split a doubleheader with Malone on Tuesday afternoon, defeating the Pioneers 7-6 in the opener before falling 2-1 in game two at Pioneer Field in Canton, Ohio.
 
"There were a lot of things to like about today," head coach Caitlin Blanchard said afterwards.  "Our players stepped onto the field ready to compete."
 
Lourdes jumped in front in the second inning of game one, scoring three times.  A bases loaded wild pitch scored Megan Richardson (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S.) with the game's first run before Emily Wallace (Thornville, Ohio/Lakewood H.S.) singled home another.  After Elizabeth Chagolla (Toledo, Ohio/Start H.S.) grounded into a run-scoring fielder's choice, the Gray Wolves had a 3-0 lead.
 
The Pioneers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second before Sophia Dauterman (Toledo, Ohio/Whiteford H.S.) answered with a two-run double in the top of the third.  Malone made it 5-3 with a single tally in the bottom of the frame before Chagolla drove in her second run of the game with a ground out in the fourth.
 
Dauterman, who had three hits in game one, drove in her third run of the game with a single to left, providing what proved to be a valuable insurance run, giving Lourdes a 7-3 edge.  Malone tried to rally, scoring three times in the bottom of the fifth, but Milena Applegate (Jerome, Mich./Lumen Christi H.S.) came on to toss three scoreless innings to earn the save.  Vivianna Gonzalez (Brownstown, Mich./Cabrini H.S.) picked up the victory in relief for the Gray Wolves.
 
The Gray Wolves pounded out 10 hits in the opener on the way to the victory.
 
"We played sound team defense and made some clutch players with runners in scoring position that secured us the victory," Blanchard added.  "Our pitchers worked well together to keep us In the game and our offense was explosive enough to keep us in the lead all game."
 
Game two was a pitcher's dual with Kirsten Smith (Marysville, Mich./Marysville H.S.) and Jensen Miller both tossing shutouts into the fifth.  Malone took advantage of a pair of Gray Wolf errors in the bottom of the fifth to plate a pair of runs.
 
Lourdes cut its deficit in half in the sixth as Annalisse Palma (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview H.S.) doubled home Emily Wallace (Thornville, Ohio/Lakewood H.S.).  The Gray Wolves then threatened to tie in the seventh, putting a pair of runners on with two outs.  Ashleigh Riffle (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon H.S.) singled to left but the Pioneers threw out the potential tying run at the plate.
 
Smith went the distance in the circle, allowing the two unearned runs on just three hits.  The freshman did not walk anyone and struck out 10.
 
"Game two was our best pitching performance of the year from Kirsten," Blanchard concluded.  "She was locating her pitches well and in total command of the game.  Unfortunately, we didn't make a couple of key plays behind her when we needed them and we didn't make adjustments at the plate early enough to get the run support we needed.  Hats off to Malone, they made some really nice plays and it was a well-deserved victory.  Overall I'm really pleased with where our team is heading into our conference season."
 
Lourdes (5-8) was scheduled to play Mount Vernon Nazarene on Thursday afternoon, but that doubleheader has been cancelled due to the Cougars having to make up conference games.  The Gray Wolves will now return to the diamond on Saturday as Lourdes opens Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play hosting Michigan-Dearborn.  First pitch in game one of the doubleheader is set for noon at Gray Wolf Field.