KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- In another non conference triangular, the Albion College softball team split a pair of games with Kalamazoo and Hope. The Brits fell to Kalamazoo in the opener, 7-4, before taking a 2-1 game from Hope.

GAME ONE: Kalamazoo 7 Albion 4

Batting as the visitors, the Brits got on the board in the top of the first when Grace Connolly launched her third home run on the season. The shot brought in Shanyn Jewell who roped a one out double to center.

In the home half of the frame, the Hornets scored four runs off just two hits and three Albion errors. Kalamazoo tacked on two more runs in the second to extend the lead to 6-2.

Albion cut the deficit to two runs in the sixth off a pinch hit double off the bat of Mickala Signor. Connolly led off the inning with a single and moved to second when sophomore Lilly Patillo singled. With two outs, Signor, a sophomore, doubled home both runs to cut the score to 6-4.

Kalamazoo added an insurance run in the home half of the frame, to keep the lead in favor of the Hornets.

Three of the seven Kalamazoo runs were earned.

GAME TWO: Albion 2 Hope 1

The two teams combined for just five hits in the game, but Albion held the edge with three hits in the contest. Hope took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a wild pitch.

Two of the three Albion hits came in the bottom of the sixth, but it would prove to be enough as Albion scored both runs in the frame. Mya Nummer worked a one out walk and moved to third off a Jewell single. Lauren Beougher smoked an opposite field single, driving in Nummer to tie the game at one.

After Jewell moved to third on a passed ball, Connolly drove in her team-leading 17th RBI of the year with a groundout, giving the Brits a 2-1 lead.

Sophomore Ashley Pion (7-5) retired the Flying Dutch in order in the seventh, salvaging the split for Albion. Pion was masterful in the circle, allowing just two hits while striking out eight. Her 86 strikeouts sits her second in the MIAA.

UP NEXT

Albion will travel right back to Kalamazoo on Tuesday afternoon for a MIAA twinbill. Game times are scheduled for 3 and 5 p.m.