FORT MEYERS, Fla. – The Albion College softball team split its doubleheader on Thursday, Mar. 3, falling to North Central College (Ill.) and trouncing SUNY Delhi, 2-1 and 13-3, respectively. For the Britons (6-2, 0-0), their 6 wins through the first eight games are the program's best start since 2008.
Hits were hard to come by as the Britons were held to just two hits in their first game of the day. Freshman Olivia Palasek started her day hitting 1-of-4 with one run while fellow first-year student Lilly Patillo went 1-for-2 from the plate. Freshman pitcher Ashley Pion earned a new season-high 10 strikeouts on the morning. Unable to muster a comeback, the Purple and Gold fell to the Cardinals, 2-1. Albion has limited opposing teams to two or fewer runs in four games thus far in the 2020 season.
Later that morning, the Purple and Gold put on a hitting display to roll past SUNY Delhi. In the top of the first, the Britons jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to runners batted in by juniors Grace Connolly and Estacia Martinez and a passed ball leading to a score by freshman Lilly Patillo. A double at the top of the third from junior Skyler Herman drove in two teammates, finding home plate herself moments later to build a 7-2 advantage. The Britons capped off their outing overpowering the Broncos after driving in six runs at the top of the sixth. The inning was highlighted by doubles from Patillo alongside juniors Connolly and Lauren Beougher, ultimately defeating the Broncos, 13-3. Patillo finished the game going a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Herman went 2-of-4 from the plate with two runs and a pair of runners batted in. Senior pitcher Eryn VanderVlucht completed the day with a career-high nine strikeouts, frustrating the Broncos' batters resulting in a 13-3 victory.
Up next, the Britons will return to Naples, Florida on Friday, Mar. 6, as they square-off against the Martin Luther College Knights and the Grove City Wolverines. Games will begin at the North Collier Regional Park at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
For the latest information on the team, follow @Albion_Softball on Twitter and Instagram. General athletics news can also be found @gobrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and Albion College Athletics on Facebook.
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu