FREDERICK, Md. --
Brianne Long hit the go-ahead single in the top of the seventh inning of game one as the Lions rallied for an 8-5 victory over Hood and a split of a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader on Monday at the Hood Softball Field.
Albright, which is 21-10 overall and 6-4 in conference play, held a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning of the opener, but Shelby Alcorn hit a three-run homer during a four-run uprising which gave the Blazers a 5-4 lead.
Albright would have an answer in the top of the seventh inning.
Kelly Cembrale started the Lions rally with a single, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by
Jordan Chell.
Sammi O'Connor laced a double to left that put runners on second and third with only one out.
Regina Milburn tied the game at 5-5 when she singled to left to score Chell and Long put Albright ahead to stay when she singled to right bringing home pinch-runner
Zoe Robertson and putting the Lions in front 6-5.
With runners on first and third, Albright executed the double steal to perfection as Long stole second and Milburn stole home to give Albright a 7-5 lead.
Stephany Courtney, who had two hits and two RBI, tacked on another run when she singled up the middle to plate Long giving Albright an 8-5 lead.
O'Connor then worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh to preserve the lead and give the Lions the victory.
O'Connor added to her school record single-season win total by improving to 15-7 on the season. She allowed nine hits and struck out six batters in her complete game performance.
Long finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Chell, O'Connor and Courtney each had two hits for the Lions.
Madison Bear also hit her first career home run in an Albright uniform in the opening-game victory.
Hood, which is 16-12 overall and 7-5 in the MAC Commonwealth, won the second game 7-1 behind the pitching of Sophia Leaman and the bats of Kayli Paugh and Alcorn.
Leaman went 7.0 innings and permitted nine hits, but just one run to improve to 6-7 on the season. Paugh and Alcorn each drove in three runs for the Blazers in game two.
Albright returns to action on Tuesday (April 19) when it hosts Penn State-Harrisburg at 3 p.m. in non-conference play at the Albright Softball Field.
