FREDERICK, Md. – The Albright softball team suffered two heartbreaking losses as Hood swept the Lions on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
The Lions record now stands at 12-15 overall with a 5-9 record in MAC Commonwealth play after the sweep with one more MAC Commonwealth doubleheader next Saturday against Arcadia. Meanwhile, the Blazers record now stands at 15-15 overall with a 6-6 record in conference play.
 
After a scoreless first, the Lions had its first opportunity to potentially score in the top of the second inning after sophomore Brooke Yerger worked her way to third base on a walk, stolen base, and wild pitch. Unfortunately for the Lions, a pop up and strikeout ended the threat. The Blazers then made some two out magic in the bottom of the second to push their first run across on a double then RBI single to make it 1-0. Sophomore Camille Sears would tie the game at one in the top of the fourth on a lead off solo home run after a scoreless third inning from both teams. The Lions escaped a jam in the bottom of the fourth before pushing a second run across in the top of the fifth to make it 2-1. Senior Regina Milburn was hit by a pitch to begin the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a single from sophomore Jessica Rodriguez, junior Stephany Courtney followed with a single of her own to load the bases with one out. Junior Stephanie Pomante then drew a bases loaded walk to give the Lions the lead with two outs. Senior pitcher Riley Gerenda would escape a jam in the bottom of the sixth after she recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame following the Blazers having two batters reach base. However, Hood would tie the game at two with two outs in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI single. Gerenda struck out the first Hood batter before a single and fielding error left two runners on base. Milburn then made a tremendous play on a lineout for the second out before a wild pitch set up the tying run to score from third on the subsequent single.
 
The Lions put runners on first and third in the top of the eighth with one out on a Pomante walk and Yerger single, but a strike out and ground out ended the threat. The Blazers then won the game in the bottom of the eighth on a walk-off RBI single with two outs. Rodriguez and Courtney each went 2-of-3 from the plate, while Sears picked up a hit on her solo home run. Gerenda suffered the tough loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits, while striking out eight and walking five batters. Blazer pitcher Kayli Paugh earned the win after throwing the full eight innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and five walks.
 
In game two, the Blazers started the scoring in the bottom of the first after an error brought a runner home all the way from first following a single. Freshman Nora Harrison would then tie the game at one in the top of the second with a solo home run with two outs. The game remained tied at one until the top of the fourth when the Lions recorded two runs on four hits. Junior Kelly Cembrale roped a two-run double down the left field line with two outs to give the Lions a 3-1 lead. The Blazers then tied the game at three in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out two run home run. The Lions then came back again with two runs of their own in the top of the sixth before the Blazers tied the game yet again with a pair of runs of their own. Albright seemed to have push across the winning run in the top of the seventh on a ground out from junior Corinne Garuffe, but the Blazers made one last rally to stun the Lions in the bottom of the seventh on a single and bases loaded walk.
 
The Lions will return to action on Monday, April 23^rd when they will host York (Pa.) at 3 p.m. for a non-conference doubleheader for senior day.