ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Albright softball team dropped two contests at Lebanon Valley in their MAC Commonwealth opener on Sunday.
With the pair of losses, the Lions open up conference action 0-2 and fall to 0-10 overall. Meanwhile, the Dutchmen improve to 2-0 in conference and 9-2 overall.
GAME ONE (7 inn.)
Albright was shut out 3-0 by Lebanon Valley in game one. It was a defensive battle for the first three innings as both teams remained scoreless. The Lions closest scoring opportunity came in the top of the fourth behind a
Kaitlyn Chell triple, but Lebanon Valley kept Albright off the board with a strikeout. The dutchmen opened up the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with one run on one hit and one error to take a 1-0 lead. Lebanon Valley then added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth with two runs fueled by two doubles and one error. Chell was able to get on base once again in the top of the sixth with a single, but Albright was unable to convert as Lebanon Valley claimed the 3-0 victory in game one.
Jadelyn Van Winkle (0-6) receives the loss for Albright in game one after pitching a complete game and facing 26 batters. Erin Sinatra (4-1) earns the win for Lebanon Valley behind a complete game and 12 strikeouts on the pitching mound.
GAME TWO (5 inn.)
The Lions dropped an 8-0 matchup to the Dutchmen in game two.
Allison Melahn led off with a single in the top of the first, but Lebanon Valley's defense kept Albright off the board. Lebanon Valley opened up their scoring in the bottom of the third fueled by a big triple to lead off. The Dutchmen posted three runs on four hits to grasp a 3-0 lead. Lebanon Valley followed with another dominant inning in the bottom half of the fourth with four runs on four hits, extending their lead to seven. The Dutchmen capped off their run and solidified their 8-0 victory in game two with a final score in the bottom of the fifth.
Laura Costello (0-4) receives the loss for the Lions in game two after 3.1 innings pitched and 21 batters faced. Jordan Walter (5-1) earns the win for the dutchmen after pitching the full five innings, allowing just four hits.
Albright will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. as they host Misericordia for a doubleheader to open up their home schedule at the Albright College Softball Field.
