Point Park softball takes two from IUPUC, Arndt breaks school record for stolen bases

KENNEDY TOWNSHIP., -- Point Park picked up two more conference wins on Monday to move to 17-17 overall and 10-12 in conference play while freshman Mia Arndt became Point Park Softball's single season stolen base record holder in game one on Monday. The Pioneer's faced off against IUPUC (Ind.) who are in their first year as a member of the River States Conference. Point Park took game one by a score of 6-1 followed up by another win in game two as the Pioneer's shut the Crimson Pride out winning 4-0. 

Game 1:

Point Park picked up eight hits on their way to a game one 6-1 victory. Mia Arndt was the offensive power for the Pioneers as she went 2 for 3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Arndt smashed a home run to center field in the fifth inning to put the Pioneers out of reach of the Crimson Pride.

Point Park started the scoring in the second inning as Savannah Lee started off the inning with a leadoff single to left field. Mackenzie Moore entered the game as the pinch runner for Lee.

Following a sacrifice bunt by Bella Magliocco and Moore advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher, Hayley O'Neil hit a groundball to the second basemen, but it could not be handled cleanly allowing O'Neil to reach base and Moore to score making it 1-0.

The Pioneers added two more runs to their lead in the bottom of the third as Melanie Taylor led off with an infield single to put a leadoff runner aboard.

Mara Iagnemma then put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Taylor all the way to third.

With Taylor standing on third, Mia Arndt picked up her first RBI of the game as she singled to left field to bring in Taylor extending the lead to two.

Arndt then stole second base and advanced to third on a single by Gianna Welsh to left field.

On the next pitch Welsh tried stealing second base but got caught up in a rundown that allowed Arndt to steal home and make it 3-0 in favor of the Pioneers.

With Arndt's stolen base at home, she eclipsed the single season stolen base record at Point Park with her 17^th stolen base on the season. The previous record was 16 which was held by Taylor Goldstrohm ('18-'22).

IUPUC got their only run of the game in the fourth inning as Gracie Holok started the inning off with a deep shot over the left field fence for a solo home run to avoid the shutout.

Point Park scored their final three runs in the fifth inning as Mia Arndt ripped a three-run home run over the center field fence to score Taylor and Remi Koi, both who had reached base on errors, putting the game out of reach for the Crimson Pride as it was now 6-1.

IUPUC was unable to score in the sixth or the seventh giving the Pioneers a game one victory.

Jaylyn Mullenax picked up her ninth win of the season as she went all 7.0 innings giving up only four hits and one run while picking up five strikeouts to move to 9-8 in the circle for the Pioneers.

Mia Arndt led the Pioneer offense going 2 for 3 with four RBIs and two runs scored while Gianna Welsh went 2 for 3. Melanie Taylor went 1 for 3 with two runs score for the Pioneers.

Game 2:

Just as they did in game one, the Pioneers were able to pick up eight hits in game two bringing the total on the day to 16 hits. This game though the Pioneers were able to shutout IUPUC and pick up a 4-0 win.

The Pioneers started the scoring immediately as they picked up their first run in the bottom of the first. Melanie Taylor singled to left field for a leadoff single where she then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Iagnemma, then third on a wild pitch.

With Taylor in scoring position, Mia Arndt picked up her fifth RBI on the day as she grounded out to the shortstop allowing Taylor to score making the game 1-0.

Point Park picked up two more runs in the bottom of the second as Remi Koi hit a single to right field to score Mackenzie Moore who was pinching running for Savannah Lee as Lee led the inning off with a single to center field.

Errors were the downfall for IUPUC as they committed their fifth error on the day as Taylor was able to reach first base on an error by the third basemen allowing Allyson Leidy to score. Leidy entered the game as a pinch runner for Kristyna Mala who had beat out an infield single. The Pioneer's lead was now extended to three.

The final run of the game for the Pioneer's came in the third inning as Gianna Welsh ripped a double to the left-center fence. Raigan Chavez came in to pinch run for Welsh. Chavez advanced to third on a wild pitch where she then was brought home as Lee reached base on an errant throw by the pitcher to move the score to 4-0.

Neither team was able to score anymore runs and the Pioneers walked away with their second River States Conferences sweep in two days.

Savannah Lee got the win in the circle for Point Park as she went 6.0 innings allowing on four hits while picking up two strikeouts. Kristyna Mala entered the game in the seventh inning as relief giving up no hits, issuing three walks, and striking out three.

Multiple Pioneers had multiple hits in game two. Melanie Taylor went 2 for 4 with one run scored, Savannah Lee went 2 for 3 as did Kristyna Mala.

With the two wins Point Park moves to .500 on the year as they are now 17-17 overall while moving to 10-12 in conference play.

Point Park will now travel to West Virginia Tech to take on the Golden Bears in a River States Conference East division matchup on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm ET