Adrian, Mich. - The Alma College softball team downed Adrian in both games of today's (Apr. 16) doubleheader. Alma won the first game 3-1 before defeating them a second time 3-2 later that day. 

Alma improved their overall record to 22-6 and are now 9-1 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), leading the MIAA with Trine close behind at 7-1. After today, Adrian fell to 9-12 and 3-5 in the league.

Senior Sarah Collier (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) had a big day in the two games going 5-for-6 with three doubles and one RBI.

Game One - Alma 3; Adrian 1;

Alma put two runs on the board in the top of the second inning and notched another one in the fifth. Adrian cut Alma's lead in the bottom of the sixth but it did not stop Alma as they maintained their lead and rolled over Adrian 3-1 in the first game of the doubleheader. 

With just one out on the board Collier hit a double down the left field line and junior Danielle Service (Mason, Mich./Mason) followed up in the fifth spot with a 2 RBI home run. Alma left the top of second inning with the 2-0 run.

The Scots notched an assurance run in the top of the fifth inning. After an Adrian fielding error, a strong at bat from sophomore Mary Brooks (Portland, Mich./Portland) for a walk and a fielder's choice Alma had runners in scoring position on second and third base. Collier finished it off with an RBI single down the left field line to score the runner on third.

Adrian cut the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the score to 3-1 but Alma brought down the first three batters in the bottom half of the frame in the seventh and earned the 3-1 victory over the Bulldogs.

Junior Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) was in the circle for the Scots pitching her 10th complete game of the year and improving her record to 12-4. In 26 batters faced she allowed four hits, one run and struck out three Adrian batters.

Collier paced the hitting squad for Alma going 2-for-3 in the first game and notching one RBI. Service went 1-for-3 in the game and notched her second home run of the season.

Game 2 - Alma 3, Adrian 2

Adrian got a jump on the Scots in the top of the first inning scoring two runs but Alma's defense prevailed the rest of the game allowing no more runs for the Bulldogs. The bats started connecting for the Scots in the bottom of the third where they notched three runs. Alma took the lead in the bottom of the fifth and maintained the remainder of the game to win 3-2.

Junior Anna Couture (Posen, Mich./Posen), freshman McKenzie Creed (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg), Collier and senior Kayla Merice (Dorr, Mich./Wayland) all knocked doubles in the bottom of the third to eventually score two runs and tie the ball game up 2-2. 

Adrian was unable to answer but Alma was in the bottom of the fifth when Creed hit her third home run of the year giving Alma the 3-2 advantage. Adrian did not generate any more runs and Alma took the 3-2 victory.

Creed was 2-for-3 in the victory with two RBI's and Collier went 3-for-3 with one RBI of her own. Sophomore Katie McClure (Manchester, Mich./Manchester) was in the circle for the Scots, earning the win bringing her record to 10-2. McClure pitched 5.2 innings allowing only four hits while she brought down five Bulldog batters. Stratton came in for 1.1 innings picking up her fourth save of the season.

Alma will turn around and host Manchester College tomorrow (Apr. 17) afternoon in a nonconference doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Scots Park. Alma will get back in to MIAA action next Saturday (Apr. 24) against Olivet College at home with a first pitch time of 1:00 p.m.