Sam Fruchey, Bluffton HS grad, helped the Malone University Pioneers notch their first postseason victory since 2002 last week. She was named Malone's athlete of the week.

The freshman pitcher appeared in all three of Malone's games at the G-MAC Tournament, allowing just one unearned run over 9.2 innings of work.

In Malone's opening game against top-seeded Cedarville, Fruchey entered the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners at second and third and no outs.  The freshman worked out of trouble in the inning, keeping the game dead-locked at 2-2.

Fruchey then tossed the first 3.1 innings of the Pioneers' 4-2 win over Ursuline College on Wednesday which marked the program's first postseason victory in 15 years.

Fruchey wrapped up her week with four shutout innings in Saturday's elimination game vs. Davis & Elkins College.

On the season, Fruchey tossed a total of 115.2 innings, tallying six wins and a save.  She helped the Pioneers register 19 victories, the squad's highest win total since 2002.