FORT MEYERS, Fla. – The Albion College softball team earned victories over Elms College and Ann Maria College on Saturday, Mar. 7. The Britons pumped the Blazers and the Amcats, 18-3 and 13-4, respectively. For the Purple and Gold (9-3, 0-0), they're off to the best start in program history.
Against Elms College, junior Grace Connolly went 1-for-2 from the plate with three runs. Junior Lauren Beougher was a perfect 1-for-1 with pair of runs and a trio of runners batted in. Junior Estacia Martinez finished the first game going 1-for-3 with two runs. In the fourth, the Britons' batters went off for 10 runs to create a virtually insurmountable lead, winning 18-3 in the end.
In the second game of the day, Connolly put the Britons on the board at the top of the first, bringing in freshman Olivia Palasek on a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, junior Skyler Herman batted a runner in to build a 2-0 cushion after one. The Amcats struck back in the bottom of the first, earning four runs to take the lead. Another run at the top of the second left the Purple and Gold trailing by one score. However, the Britons exploded in the third for 10 runs in the third highlighted by doubled from juniors Martinez, Beougher, and Herman. The Britons' outstanding hitting performance combined with stingy pitching resulted in a 13-4 win over Anna Maria.
Freshman pitcher Ashley Pion showcased her skills once again as she took out 11 Anna Maria batters. She now has two games registering double-figures in strikeouts.
The Britons will take a two-week break after having played 12 games in just seven games. Softball action returns on Saturday, Mar. 21 for a doubleheader hosted by Defiance College. Gametimes against the Lady Jackets will start at 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.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