ALBION, Mich. – Stefana Russo (Sterling Heights/Stevenson) produced two-run singles in the first inning of both games, but Albion College was never able to pull away from Kalamazoo College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association softball doubleheader at Dempsey Field.

Russo's 2-run hit helped Albion jump out to a 4-0 lead in game one, but pitcher Erin Giannotta (Saint Clair Shores/Regina) had to work around five errors to survive a 5-3 victory. The Britons' 4-0 lead shrank as Kalamazoo plated a run in the third and Abby Anderson slugged a two-run homerun in the fifth.

Albion scored an insurance run in the sixth as Kara Wandrie (Clarkston) hit a sharp one-out single to right field. She stole second and advanced to third and scored on wild pitches.

Giannotta improved to 9-9 on the year with another complete game. She yielded six hits and three walks while striking out five.

Albion's 2-0 lead in game two evaporated when Kalamazoo scored twice in the second. The Hornets tacked on four runs in the third and fourth innings to hold a 10-2 lead. Albion drew three walks off Kalamazoo pitcher Taylor Clements in the fifth, but it was only able to score one run. Alyssa Castillo (Hamilton) delivered a three-run double in the sixth, but Clements retired the final six Albion batters in order.

Wandrie finished the day with three hits, including two doubles, and a walk and three runs scored. Castillo, Russo, Samantha Kolling (Monclova, Ohio/Anthony Wayne), Kaitlyn Downey (Macomb/Dakota), and Alex Yaw (Birmingham/Seaholm) all produced two hits in the doubleheader.

Albion begins a challenging stretch Saturday when it travels to Alma College for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.