ALBION, Mich. – Albion College batters took too long to get good swings off Defiance College starting pitcher Ryan McLaughlin at Frank Joranko Field Tuesday, and despite a three-run rally in the sixth, the Britons came up short with a 5-4 loss in the non-league baseball game.

McLaughlin carried a no-hitter into the fifth until Chase Kreger (Albion) hit a one-out single to right field. Defiance gave McLaughlin an early lead as three consecutive singles led to two runs in the first inning and it scored three times in the sixth to extend the margin to 5-0.

Albion's offense came to life in the sixth as the first three batters reached base as Brendan Diamond (Holt) singled, Davin Montgomery (Novi/Northville)reached on an error, and Chuck DeClarke (Holt/Lansing Catholic Central) slugged a RBI double. B.J. Konkle (Marshall) hit a RBI groundout and John Gignac (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central) hit a RBI single.

Albion crept closer in the seventh as Kreger produced a leadoff single and advanced to second on Matt Ankenbrandt's (Grandville) sacrifice. Kreger scored on Diamond's double.

Back-to-back one-out singles put the go-ahead run on base for the Britons in the eighth, and Ben Gould doubled down the left field line to start the ninth, but Albion failed to score in either inning.

A bright spot for the Britons was the performance of relievers Ross Hall (Gregory/Stockbridge), Doug Counterman (Burlington/Union City), and Pete Salens (Bad Axe) who combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings. The bullpen allowed one hit and three walks with four strikeouts.

Albion begins a four-game series with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Trine University with a home doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.