By Scott DeWeerd

ALBION, Mich. – Senior first base player Kaitlyn Downey turned in a near-perfect outing for Albion College — collecting five hits, including a home run, and a base-on-balls in seven at-bats — but the Britons couldn't steal a win against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Saint Mary's College Sunday afternoon as they dropped a pair of games, 8-6 and 8-2. 

Saint Mary's jumped out to an 8-0 lead in game one. Fighting against the mercy rule, the Britons rallied for three runs in the fourth as Monica Brugnoni delivered a RBI double and two runs scored on an error in the outfield.

The Britons crept closer in the fifth as senior second base player Alex Yaw drove in a run with an infield single. An illegal pitch with the bases loaded pushed Brugnoni across the plate and first-year outfielder/pitcher Lauren Oppliger drew a bases loaded walk to score utility player Sarah Bucholz in the sixth.

Saint Mary's pitcher Callie Selner made quick work of the Britons in the bottom of the seventh to fight off the comeback and seal the victory for the Belles. 

The second game started in similar fashion with the Belles jumping out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. Downey responded in her first at-bat, ripping a two-run home run to center field.

The Britons look to bounce back on Wednesday as they host Kalamazoo for a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.