CLERMONT, Fla. – Senior Ali Maloof (Norwood, Mass.) recorded the 178^th hit of her career to become the all-time hits leader in Southern New Hampshire University softball history on Monday, as the Penmen split a non-conference doubleheader with Saginaw Valley State University and Ashland University at the National Training Center Softball Complex. SNHU improved to 3-0 with a 4-2 victory over the Cardinals (5-4) in game one, before moving to 3-1 after a 2-1 defeat to the Eagles (4-0) in the nightcap.

Maloof entered Monday one hit short of previous benchmark of 177 hits, and she drew even in the bottom of the first against Saginaw Valley with a single down the left field line. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Maloof connected on an RBI base hit that moved her atop the all-time hits list, and plated what proved to be the game-winning run against the Cardinals.

After Maloof struck out the side in the top of the first inning, the Penmen took a 1-0 lead in the home half. Junior Mo Hannan (Scarborough, Maine) led off with a single to right before Maloof followed with a base knock to left. Junior Lindsey Bolduc (Londonderry, N.H.) walked to load the bases for sophomore Erin Morrissey (Commack, N.Y.), and Morrissey sent a single into right that scored Maloof with the game's first run.

The teams would remain scoreless into the bottom of the fourth, when Southern New Hampshire pushed across three runs to stake itself to a 4-0 advantage. Freshman Sarah Lavallee (Candia, N.H.) started the rally with a one out hit and sophomore Devan Rabidou (Ashland, Mass.) followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Freshman Brittany Perdigao (Stoughton, Mass.) sent a shot into center that was misplayed by the Saginaw Valley defender and allowed Lavallee to score to make it 2-0.  Hannan stepped in and ripped a double to right that scored Rabidou, and Maloof's record-breaking single drove in Hannan.

The Cardinals responded during the next half inning, as they struck for a pair of runs to cut the Penmen lead in half. Marcy Medina walked to lead off the fifth before a two-run homer off Amanda Best brought Saginaw Valley back within two at 4-2.

Maloof retired the next five hitters in order before the Cardinals attempted to mount another rally. With two outs in the sixth, Evy Lobdell singled through the middle and was replaced by pinch runner Meredith Rousse. After Rousse stole second, Jessica Wood sent a base hit into left. With Rousse rounding third, senior Holly Eicher (Stoneham, Mass.) came up and fired a strike to the plate to cut down the runner and end the threat.

In the seventh, Maloof worked around a leadoff single to retire the side for her second complete game victory in as many outings this season. The senior righthander allowed four hits and two runs on the afternoon while striking out five and walking three. At the dish, Maloof went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Hannan led the way for the Southern New Hampshire offense with three hits in four at-bats, while junior Katie Caruso (Newton, Mass.) was 2-for-3.

In the second game of the twinbill, the Penmen were held to four hits and one run against unbeaten Ashland. Morrissey, Perdigao and sophomore Jessica Torsiello (Morris Plains, N.J.) each went 1-for-2 against the Eagles, while Caruso was 1-for-3 and scored the lone Southern New Hampshire run.

The two teams held each other in check for the first three innings, as sophomore Nicole Gubellini (Salem, N.H.) worked out of a pair of jams in the first and second to keep Ashland off the board.

In the bottom half of the first, the Eagles were able to put runners on second and third with only one out. Ashland attempted a safety squeeze, but Gubellini was able to field the bunt attempt and get the ball to Torsiello before the runner was able to touch home. After retiring the side in the first on a fly out to center, the Eagles were able to advance two into scoring position with nobody out in the second. Gubellini took the ball and sat down the next three Eagles in order to escape inning unscathed.

Southern New Hampshire was able to strike for the first run of the ballgame in the fourth. Caruso led off with a single before tagging and advancing to second on a fly ball to right off the bat of Bolduc. Caruso took third on a wild pitch, and after a Morrissey free pass, she raced across the plate on a passed ball to push the Penmen ahead, 1-0.

In the Ashland half of the fourth, the Eagles were able to plate a pair of runs and take a 2-1 lead. Shelbie Prince started the inning with a walk and moved up to second on a groundout. Two batters later, Erika Grant singled to give the Eagles runners on the corners with two outs. Taylor Menhart knotted the score at one apiece with an run scoring single and after Sarah Alley walked to load the bases, Jessica Young drove in Grant to provide the final margin of victory.

Brittany Flanigan earned the win for Ashland with a complete game, four strikeout, two walk performance. Senior Rebecca Sherwood (Braintree, Mass.) suffered the loss after allowing two runs in an inning of work. Lavallee entered the game in the fifth and gave up two hits while striking out two and walking one in two innings of work. 

The Penmen are back in action with two games on Tuesday. Southern New Hampshire will face Gannon University at 9 a.m. before turning around and playing Cedarville University at 11 a.m. The Eagles also resume their schedule on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Lewis University that begins at 9 a.m., while Saginaw Valley is off until Thursday when it will play Felician College and the College of Saint Rose.

For the latest on Southern New Hampshire University athletics, follow the Penmen via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Instagram.  Sign up to receive text message alerts and email newsletters about your favorite Penmen teams here:http://www.snhupenmen.com/list-signup