By TODD REED

News Leader Sports Editor

Malvern saw its four-game losing streak come to an end with an 18-2 win over visiting Conotton Valley in a game shortened to five innings.

Jessica Harry earned the win as she pitched the first four innings, giving up one earned run on five hits. She struck out five and walked one.

Christina Mayle came on in the fifth and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk, striking out two.

Offensively, Bianca Burwell was 2-for-3 with a run and five stolen bases, Morgan McKinney swiped six bags and scored two runs, Christina Rine was 2-for-2 with two runs, Nicole Fair was 2-for-3 with two runs, Ashley Potts and Kristin Murray each scored three runs, and Stephanie Bennington walked three times, scored twice and had a stolen base.

"This was a feel-good game for the girls," stated Head Coach Jim Townsend. "It was nice to end the week with a win. We were looking forward to our doubleheader with Leetonia on Saturday, but unfortunately it was rained out. We feel we could have gotten a couple of more wins before our tournament draw."

Earlier in the week, the Lady Hornets lost to Hiland 12-3.

Burwell was 3-for-4 with a triple and run scored; Kelly Murray was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored; Potts was 2-for-4 with a double; and Fair was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Harry went the distance, allowing eight earned runs on 14 hits. She struck out two and walked two.

"We are still not playing very good defense as we committed some errors once again," noted Coach Townsend. "We did manage to get nine hits, but we couldn't string them together. We led off the game with a triple and stranded her.

"Once again we had no offense and our defense was a little off."

The Division IV drawing was held at Strasburg, with Malvern (5-13, 2-9) getting the sixth seed. The Lady Hornets will face seventh-seeded Caldwell this Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m.

The other game that day pits top-seeded Strasburg against eighth-seeded Conotton Valley at 11 a.m.

The winner of these two matchups will battle for the sectional title on Wednesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.

In the other half of the bracket, Hiland faces Tusky Central at 4:30 p.m. on May 12, followed by Rosecrans/Newcomerstown at 6:30 p.m. The winners face off on May 15 at 5 p.m.

All games will be played at Strasburg Franklin Park.

In regular-season action, Malvern was to face Ridgewood on May 5, Strasburg on May 6 and Newcomerstown on May 7, before hosting Tusky Central on Tuesday, May 13.

treed@alliancelink.com