While campus was quiet the past week, Albion Athletics was in full swing all across the country. The women’s lacrosse team traveled to California, the baseball, softball and track teams traveled to various places in Florida, and the men’s lacrosse team stayed in Albion to play a few games at Sprankle-Sprandel stadium.
Baseball
On their spring break road trip, the team first traveled to Franklin, Ind., to take on Franklin College in a three-game series. Despite losing the first two games on a walk-off home run and a walk-off sacrifice fly, they were able to defeat Franklin in the third game 8-3 to achieve their first win of 2016.
Down in Winter Haven and Auburndale, Fla., the Brits played five more games. In those five games, the team was able to achieve a 4-1 record, with their only loss being their final game against Muskingum College (14-8). Albion was able to defeat Central College (Iowa) 8-5, Waynesburg University 9-5, Juniata College 17-2 and Wittenberg University 5-3.
On Saturday, March 19, the Brits will travel to Defiance College to play a doubleheader against the Yellow Jackets. MIAA Conference play will begin on Friday, March 25, against Kalamazoo College.
Softball
The softball team also traveled to Florida for spring break, as they played games in Fort Myers, Fla., and Naples, Fla. During 10 games, the team was able to achieve a 6-4 record. They were also able to produce a four-game win streak, their longest since 2012.
During spring break, Albion was able to toss three shutouts against Wilmington College (7-0), New Jersey City University (1-0) and Salem State College (3-0). This was the first time the Brits posted three consecutive shutouts since the 2008 season.
Up next for the Brits is a doubleheader with Madonna University on Tuesday, March 22, in Livonia, Mich.
Men’s Lacrosse
While many teams traveled to warmer climates for spring break, the lacrosse team stayed in Albion to host Wittenberg University on Saturday, March 5 and traveled Otterbein University on Saturday, March 12.
Against Wittenberg, the Brits’ offense was carried by Bowmanville, Ontario, senior Cameron Braun, who produced three goals and two assists. However, it wouldn’t be enough as the Brits fell 14-10 to the Tigers. Midland, Mich., senior Jordan Hempfling had 14 saves for the game.
In Westerville, Ohio, the Brits took on Otterbein University in a non-conference matchup. Once again, Braun produced three goals for the Brits, and Brighton, Mich., senior Dylan Neal had four assists. But the Brits would once again come up just short in a 16-13 loss. Monroe, Mich., goalkeeper Brandon Tata had 10 saves in the game.
Albion will host Aurora University on Saturday, March 19 and John Carroll University on Wednesday, March 23.
Women’s Lacrosse
On Saturday, March 5, the Brits hosted Elmhurst College here in Albion. Albion steamrolled to their first victory of 2016, 17-3.
Farmington Hills, Mich., senior Julie Wood scored six goals in the game, three coming in the first eight minutes. Ajax, Ontario, senior Victoria Della Pia accounted for seven saves in the game.
The Brits traveled to California to face the University of Redlands and Occidental College over spring break. Against University of Redlands, the Brits were outscored 8-0 in the first half and suffered a 15-1 loss. Howell, Mich., first-year Alex Radzville produced Albion’s only goal.
In their California finale, the Brits took on Occidental College. While Wood produced four goals and Grosse Pointe, Mich., sophomore Cait Gaitley produced three goals, it wasn’t enough to top the Tigers, as the Brits fell 17-8. Della Pia also tallied 11 saves in the game.
Albion’s next game will be on Saturday, March 26, when they travel to Bloomington, Ill., to take on Illinois Wesleyan University.
Men’s Tennis
Over spring break, the men’s tennis team traveled down to South Carolina for the Hilton Head Invitational, where they took on Baldwin Wallace University, Arcadia University and Berry College.
Against Baldwin Wallace, the Brits were shut out 9-0. Fremont, Ohio, first-year Robert Joerg took the second set in his match, but that would be the only highlight of the day.
The Brits picked up a win against Arcadia, 6-3. Grand Blanc, Mich., junior Zach McKenzie won his singles match, while Highland, Mich., senior Ross Kynast helped McKenzie to a doubles victory.
In their spring break finale, the Brits were not able to overcome Berry College in a 7-2 loss. Kynast and McKenzie won yet another doubles match, and McKenzie also picked up a singles victory.
On Saturday, March 19, the Brits will travel to Otterbein University to take on the Cardinals.
Women’s Tennis
Also in Hilton Head, S.C., the women’s tennis team competed in three matches over spring break and went undefeated. They were able to knock off Emory & Henry College 7-2, Arcadia University 9-0 and Thomas More College 8-1.
With the three wins, the Brits are now 7-1 on the season. Ann Arbor junior Lauren Rasmussen was able to defeat all of her opponents in her singles competitions over spring break, making her now 8-0 in singles matches this season.
Next up for Albion is a date with Otterbein University on Saturday, March 19.
Men’s Track and Field
The men’s track and field team competed in the Southern Invitational in Birmingham, Ala., which was their first outdoor meet. The Brits finished tied for second overall out of 12 teams total.
Plymouth, Mich., senior Mitch Clinton achieved a personal record of 4:03.76 in the 1500 meters, good enough for a fourth place finish. Delton, Mich., senior Ryan Watson finished fifth with a time of 4:05.
Traverse City first-year Jephte Jean-Claude finished second in the hurdles with a time of 15.95. Warren, Mich., first year Christopher Bratt finished third and Naples, Fla., first-year Richard Annorat finished fourth.
Tecumseh, Mich., senior Daniel Fick finished fifth in the javelin throw. Ann Arbor senior Nick Bertoia and Walled Lake, Mich., sophomore Andrew Strzelecki finished sixth and seventh respectively, right behind Fick.
The Brits will be in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 for the Emory Invitational.
Women’s Track and Field
Also in Birmingham was the women’s track and field team, and the Brits were able to achieve fourth place in the Southern Invitational. Allegan, Mich., senior Jessica Shaw came within half of a second of a school record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.85. However, Shaw was able to achieve a school record in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:42.79.
Clarkston, Mich., junior Maicey Peterson finished fifth in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the pole vault. She was also a part of the 4×100 relay that finished in sixth place.
The Brits will head to Atlanta to compete in the Emory Invitational on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19.
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