MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Albright softball team dropped its season opening contests at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions open up the season 0-2 following two losses to St. Joseph's (Long Island) and to St. Joseph's (Brooklyn). St. Joseph's (L.I.) improved to 1-1 overall while St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) improved to 2-1 with the win.
St. Joseph's (Long Island) 5, Albright 3 (7 inn.)
Albright's season opener resulted in a 5-3 loss to St. Joseph's (L.I.) in game one on Sunday. The Lions got on the board in the top of the second to open up the scoring.
Brooke Franklin reached first base on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice from
Veronica Heckman.
Massiel Del Orbe then reach first on an error and was able to advance to second while Franklin scored to take a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles tied the game at one in the bottom of the second following one run on one hit and two errors.
Allison Melahn led off in the top of the third with a bunt followed by an error that allowed her to advance to second. Melahn then stole third before
Kaitlyn Chell singled to left field and brought Melahn home to give the Lions a 2-1 lead. St. Joseph's tied the game once again at two in the bottom of the third following one run on three hits. The Golden Eagles then jumped in front 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on two hits.
The Lions got within one in the top of the fifth.
Kathryn Baptiste got on base with a bunt and then stole second.
Heather Pomante then singled to center field to move Baptiste to third.
Laura Costello singled through the left side to bring Baptiste home and cut the Lions deficit to 4-3. However, St. Joseph's solidified their win in the bottom of the sixth with one final run behind three hits to claim the 5-3 victory.
St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) 15, Albright 0 (5 inn.)
The Lions were shut down 15-0 in game two by a tough St. Joeseph's (Brooklyn) team on Sunday. The Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first behind four hits. The Lions answered with two hits in the bottom half of the first inning behind a
Jadelyn Van Winkle single and a double from Chell but were unable to reach home plate, leaving two on base to close out the opening frame. St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) had a strong performance in the top of the second, rolling in eight runs behind five hits to take a commanding 10-0 lead. Franklin had the lone hit for Albright in the bottom of the second but the Bears stood tall on defense forcing a quick inning.
The Bears added one unearned run to their lead in the top of the third behind one hit and one error and forced another quick inning for the Lions in the bottom half of the inning to hold onto an 11-0 advantage. St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) poured in four more runs in the top of the fourth behind six hits, including an inside the park homer that solidified their 15-0 victory.
Costello receives the loss for game one, opening the season 0-1, behind 4.0 innings pitched and 20 batters faced. Van Winkle also opens the season 0-1 and receives the loss for game two with 1.2 innings pitched and 12 batters faced.
Albright returns to action today at 1:30 p.m. to take on Keystone, followed by a game against Suffolk at 5:30 p.m. to continue their Spring Break trip.
