READING, Pa. – The Albright Lions softball team was dealt a pair of losses in its season-opening MAC Commonwealth doubleheader to Eastern by scores of 11-2 (5 innings), and 9-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Albright College Softball Field.
Playing its first games in 374 days, the Lions will open the 2021 season 0-2 overall and in MAC Commonwealth play. Meanwhile, the Eagles improved to 2-3 overall and in conference play.
GAME ONE
The Eagles struck quickly in the top of the first inning as they took a 2-0 lead on a two-out two-run home run to left field following a walk. First-year pitcher
Kathryn Baptiste roped a double to left center with one out for the Lions first hit of the game, but was stranded following a back-to-back outs. The Eagles put runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the second following an error, single, and a pair of stolen bases. Eastern added to its lead with a single in the ensuing at bat, and a wild pitch two batters later. Following a RBI groundout in the next at-bat to make it 5-0, the Eagles added a sixth when a runner on third base broke home as the Lions were trying to tag an Eastern runner who was trying to steal second after a walk.
Albright got on the board in the bottom of the second on a double from senior outfielder
Brooke Franklin. Junior
Laura Costello singled to lead off the inning and set herself up to score on a stolen base. The Eagles looked to continue to add to its lead in the top of the third as they loaded the bases with one out. However, Costello escaped the threat by forcing a double play after taking over for Baptiste. Albright loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning with two before a strikeout ended the threat. The Eagles put runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the fourth and would add a seventh run on a sacrifice fly. Eastern put the game away with four runs on five hits and one error in the top of the fifth to take a commanding 11-1 lead. Needing two runs to keep the game alive, the Lions got one with two outs on a RBI single from senior
Kaitlyn Chell. Unfortunately for Albright, a strikeout in the next at-bat ended the game.
GAME TWO
Eastern loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the first before a fielder's choice ended the threat. The Lions posted back-to-back singles from Baptiste and first-year
Heather Pomante with one out before a pair of fly outs stranded the runners at their respective bases. Eastern got its first run of the game on a passed ball with two outs in the top of the third, and escaped a Lions two-out rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Eagles made it a 2-0 in the top of the sixth on a double to right field following a hit by pitch and stolen base. Albright was then unable to take advantage of a leadoff single from Chell in the bottom of the sixth. Eastern put the game away in the top of the seventh with seven runs on four hits and one error to take a 9-0 lead.
Chell went 4-of-6 from the plate between the two games with one RBI to lead the Lions offense. Costello went 1-of-2 from the plate in game one and scored one run. Baptiste suffered the loss in game one after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits, one strikeout, and seven walks in 2.1 innings. Lauren Lofland earned the win in game one for the Eagles after allowing two earned runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts in the full five innings. Costello took the loss in game two after allowing five runs (one earned) on nine hits and two strikeouts. Sami Britton posted the win for the Eagles after throwing two shutout innings in relief, and allowing one hit along with two walks.
The Lions and Eagles will square off again tomorrow, March 21st as they will play a doubleheader at Eastern starting at 1 p.m.
