BLUFFTON, Ohio -- Two late inning rallies helped the Albion College softball team sweep Bluffton University on Opening Day. The Britons took game one, 5-2, before a seventh inning rally gave them a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: Albion 5 Bluffton 2

It didn't take long for the Britons to register their first run of 2021. Kenadie Baareman led off the game with an infield single and moved to second on a bunt base hit from Olivia Palasek. A fielder's choice put runners at the corners with one out. Grace Connolly grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Baareman to score and giving Albion a 1-0 lead.

The Beavers manufactured a run in the home half of the third to tie the game. Bluffton scratched across their second run in the fourth for a short-lived 2-1 lead.

On the first pitch of the fifth inning, Baareman laced an inside the park home run to right, knotting the score at 2-2.

Albion took the lead for good and added insurance in the top of the sixth. Estacia Martinez reached via error and moved to second on a groundout. Another Beaver error moved Martinez to third and put a second Albion runner on base. Shanyn Jewell grounded into a fielder's choice, plating Martinez and giving the Brits a one run lead.

A third Beaver error of the frame kept the inning alive with two runners aboard for Baareman. The sophomore delivered with her fourth hit of the game, roping a two-run double to left center, extending the Briton lead to 5-2.

Sophomore pitcher Ashley Pion went the distance, scattering nine hits in seven innings. Pion walked just one batter while striking out five.

GAME TWO: Albion 3 Bluffton 2

Similar to game one, Albion drew first blood in the nightcap. Martinez led off the top of the second with a double to center and moved to third on a groundout. Two batters later, the senior scored on a Mya Nummer infield single.

Both Bluffton runs came in the home half of the sixth when the Beavers hit an inside the park home run and brought home another runner off an error.

With three outs, the Britons were able to push across a pair of runs to give them the lead. Nummer led off the frame with her second infield single of the day. With one out, Palasek laced a single to left. Both Nummer and Palasek advanced 60 feet on a wild pitch, putting a pair of runners in scoring position. Connolly sent a fly ball to right that would appear to be a sac fly, but the ball was dropped allowing Nummer and Palasek to score, giving Albion the lead.

Bluffton would threaten in the bottom of the seventh, but the Britons were able to strand the tying run at third.

Melanie Cosens worked all seven innings in the circle, scattering five hits and giving up just one earned run.

On Mar. 21, the Britons will square off against the same Bluffton squad, but on their home field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.