Albion’s 18-Under softball team wrapped up its impressive 2021 summer season with state tournament competition at Hastings
Albion fashioned a 2-2 record in the double-elimination state tourney competition and concluded the ‘21 campaign with an overall mark of 15-8.
Albion 5, Sandhills Reign 4
The Albion 18-Unders opened state with an exciting 5-4 extra-inning victory over Sandhills Reign Friday, July 9.
Albion took a 2-1 edge in the top of the fifth inning as Paige Nelson rapped an RBI triple and also scored. Claire Choat and Lauryn Wright crossed the plate in the top of the sixth to boost the lead, but Sandhills Reign rallied in the bottom of the inning to knot the score 4-4.
Choat scored on Wright’s base hit in the top of the eighth, and Albion hung on by its collective fingernails in the bottom of the frame. Sandhills had the bases loaded with no outs before Albion pitcher Ashtyn Hedlund fielded a ground ball and fired to home plate for a force out, then struck out the next two Reign hitters.
Perhaps worn down, physically and mentally, by that extra-inning thriller on a very hot day, Albion dropped a 10-2 decision to Cozad later Friday. Albion bounced back to defeat Palmyra 10-4 Saturday morning, sparked by a five-run third inning. Albion saw its tournament run ended Saturday afternoon in a tough 2-0 loss to the Hastings Bombers.
Full coverage of state tournament games in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
