Lady Lions back on field

After more than a month, the Albany Lady Lions resumed their softball season Tuesday, April 2 with a 7-6 loss in nine innings at Cross Plains.

The Lady Lions (6-2) host Baird at 5:00 p.m. Friday,April5inthesecond game since Feb. 27, when the season was put on hold because of low numbers.

Tuesday’s game was moved to Cross Plains because of wet grounds at Webb Park. Albany took a 6-4 lead in the ninth only to have Cross Plains answer with three runs.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Lady Lions coach Jimmy Fuentes said the important thing was resuming play.

“It just felt good to be playing again,” he said. “We were tired of practicing. It was good to get in some action and get the reps we needed so we can catch up the second half of the season.”

To that end, Fuentes said, playing extra innings was a bonus for his team.

“Our younger kids who have never been in that spot before learned what it’s like to play in pressure situations,” he said. “They got to see how our older kids responded to being in situations like that. Now they’ve been there, even if only one time, but they got to experience it, and there’s no substitute for experience.”

Robin Lucas went 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBIs, while Charlee Hefner was 2 for 4 with a triple. Carisa Barrera, who also tripled, and Braylyn Abbate were both 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Barrera struck out 15 in 8.1 innings.