READING, Pa. – Junior Sammi O'Connor broke the Albright single-season record for strikeouts in leading the Lions to a non-conference doubleheader sweep of Dickinson on Thursday at the Albright Softball Field.

Albright won the first game 5-1 and then completed the sweep with a 3-0 win in the second game.

O'Connor broke the record in game one of the doubleheader when she fanned Nicole Torlincasi in the fifth inning giving her 142 for the season and breaking the old record of 141 set by Ashley Young during the 2006 season.

O'Connor would finish with seven strikeouts in game one and then struck out four more batters in the second game to raise her season total to 147.

With her two victories, O'Connor improved to 11-8 on the season which ties the school record for wins in a season shared by Young (2005) and Shannon Kline (2001).

Morgan Cullen and Brianne Long sparked the Albright offense during the doubleheader as each picked up four hits on the day. Kaela Romano had three hits as did Nikki Russo and Sera Stull.

Albright pounded out 21 hits on the day and also played solid defense behind O'Connor. Long made several outstanding defensive plays during both games and shortstop Regina Milburn made a brilliant diving stop and throw to retire a Dickinson batter in game two.

Albright took an early 1-0 lead in the first game as Long led off the first inning with a single and Romano followed with a base hit up the middle. Following a sacrifice bunt by O'Connor, Russo plated the first run of the game with an RBI groundout.

The Lions stretched the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning.

Stull singled to right with one out and advanced to second base when Cullen followed with a single of her own. With two outs, Albright loaded the bases when Long singled to right and Romano forced in Stull when she drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Red Devils answered with a run in the top of the third inning, but Albright scored three times in the bottom of the fifth inning to stretch the lead to 5-1.

Russo doubled to lead off the inning and Milburn followed with a single and advanced to second on the throw to third. Roman then ripped a double to center scoring both Russo and Milburn and increasing the Albright lead to 4-1.

With two outs, Long singled to left to score Roman and push the Lions lead to 5-1.

Albright dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning of game two.

Cullen doubled to left and advanced to third following a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Forktus. Long then brought home the first run of the game with a single to right that scored Cullen.

The Lions extended the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Stull singled to right scoring Russo.

Albright tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Milburn singled up the middle to score Long.

It was more than enough offense for O'Connor as she dominated the Dickinson batters in game two. She allowed only three hits in 7.0 innings and struck out four.

Albright raised its record to 17-12 overall, while Dickinson dropped to 15-20 on the season.

The Lions return to action on Saturday (April 25) when they visit Penn State-Harrisburg for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.