The Point Park softball team swept Asbury on Friday in a conference doubleheader, however, the Pioneers were unable to complete the sweep against Midway the next day. The Pioneers ended up splitting the series with Midway, leaving the home weekend with a 3-1 record.

It was the second time in 2018 that the Pioneers played on their home field and the first weekend with a pair of home series. Point Park played its home opener against Carlow on March 31 and had last weekend’s home games postponed due to weather.

In the first contest against Asbury, the Pioneers earned a 3-0 victory. They did what they do best and came out with an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The run came after senior Alyssa McMurtrie singled, and then stole second base. Junior Shannon Davis followed the steal with a single that pushed McMurtrie to third base. Freshman Bailey Myers proceeded to put down a bunt that allowed McMurtrie to come home.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pioneers extended the lead to 3-0. Sophomore Courtney Blocher singled and senior Kim Corcoran did the same, putting runners on first and second. Senior Jess Beitler then hit a deep fly ball that was mis-played by the Eagles center fielder, allowing Blocher to score. Freshman Maddie Horn scored later in the inning running for Corcoran.

Junior pitcher Ashley Iagnemma went six innings, giving up four hits and striking out four en route to her fifth win of the year. Sophomore Katie Tarr relieved Iagnemma in the seventh inning, striking out two and earning the save.

The second game of the doubleheader was a different story for the Pioneers. Junior pitcher Tiffany Edwards pitched a perfect game until the top of the sixth inning. A close baserunning call at first base ended the perfect contest, however, it was the only hit Edwards gave up en route to a complete game shutout.

Edwards ended the game with four strikeouts and gave up no walks while picking up the victory.

The Pioneers won the game 8-0 thanks to an offensive spark in the bottom of the fourth inning. Corcoran started the rally by drawing a walk, and she was replaced by Horn who came in to pinch run. Beitler stepped up to the plate and hit a triple to bring Horn home, making the Pioneer lead 1-0. Sophomore Amber Cook then singled and Beitler made her way home to extend the lead to 2-0. McMurtrie bunted and made it safely to first base and Cook made it to second base. Davis sacrifice bunted to move two both runners into scoring position.

Junior Brittany Zeigler then hit a deep sacrifice fly that scored Cook. Myers drew a walk and stole second base, then senior Lily Pruneda doubled to bring in McMurtie and Myers, giving the Pioneers a 5-0 lead.

The Pioneers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and one run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The following day the Pioneers hosted Midway University and were unable to complete the weekend sweep. In game one, Midway scored in the top of the fifth and sixth inning and Pioneers offense was unable to counter that. The Pioneers were held to just four hits in the 3-0 loss.

Iagnemma pitched the entire seven innings, giving up six hits, three runs and striking out seven.

The second contest between the Pioneers and the Midway Eagles went in Point Park’s favor.

The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead in bottom of the first inning. Horn singled to lead off the frame and Pruneda bunted her to second base. Corcoran hit a fly ball that put Horn at third base. Beitler singled that brought Horn home.

Point Park added another run in the bottom of the second inning after Myers hit a sacrifice fly ball that scored McMurtrie and gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.

Midway was able to come back with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Pioneers extended the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Edwards picked up her second win of the weekend, allowing one run, three hits and striking out four.

Point Park will make up its game with Ohio Christian that was postponed earlier in the year on Wednesday. The Pioneers then head to West Virginia Tech on Friday and Rio Grande on Saturday.