BRIGHTON, Mich. – While the scorebook shows losses to Concordia University of Ann Arbor and Concordia University of Chicago, the Albion College softball team displayed the foundation for a successful season under the direction of first-year Head Coach Leigh Ann LaFave.
The Britons fielded well – committing just three errors in the morning games at the Legacy Sports Center – and communicated well. Catcher Kaitlyn Hotchkin collected four hits and drove in a run and pitcher/third baseman Monica Brugnoni added three hits.
Concordia (Mich.) 10, Albion 2
Ami Trionfi hit a leadoff homerun as Concordia scored twice in the first and added three in the fourth.
Hotchkin delivered a RBI single in the fourth as Albion cut the deficit to 5-1. Brugnoni retired the Cardinals in order in the fifth, but they pounced for five runs in the sixth. Alice Garvin drove in Albion's second run when she drew a bases loaded walk in the sixth.
Concordia (Ill.) 5, Albion 3
Hotchkin scored on Andrea Benson's sacrifice fly as Albion forged a 1-1 tie in the second.
Concordia tacked on two runs in the second and single runs in the third and fifth to take a 5-1 lead to the seventh.
Albion rallied for two runs in the seventh – Olivia Imbier delivered a RBI single and Alice Garvin lifted a sacrifice fly – but the rally stalled when a runner was thrown out at second base to end the game.
Albion's next set of games – during spring break – is just three weeks away. Albion begins a stretch of games in Fort Myers, Fla., March 6 against Bridewater State and Wilmington (Ohio).
