THORNBURG — The Albia softball team lived up to its advanced billing Tuesday night. The seventh-ranked Lady Dee’s started their season with a 17-4 victory over Tri-County in Thornburg.

Tri-County took a brief 2-0 lead in the second inning, but Albia responded. The Lady Dees exploded for eight runs in the top of third to take command of the game.

Albia added another nine runs in the fifth.

“We really hit the ball well,” Albia coach Mitch Chance said. “Our one through nine hitters put the ball in play. We were very aggressive at the plate.”

Kylee Coughlin went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored. Alexis Folkerts and Leah Kipfer added another three hits apiece. Alicia Bettis and Kipfer each scored three runs.

Kipfer also did well on the mound. The freshman went six innings and struck out eight to earn the win.

“Leah really did a nice job,” Chance said. “She had four walks early, but she settled down and threw the ball real well.”

Albia (1-0) travels to Eddyville-Blakesburg on Thursday.

Albia 17, Tri-County 4

Albia 008 090 — 17 13 0

T-C 021 010 — 4 4 4

Albia battery — Leah Kipfer (W, 1-0) (6IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 8K, 4BB), Alexis Folkerts catching.

2B — Emmy Whisler, Brittaney Moore.

3B — Kipfer, Folkerts.

Hits — Kylee Coughlin 3-for-5, Emmy Whisler 1-for-5, Alexis Folkerts 3-for-4, Reba Summers 1-for-4, Moore 1-for-4, Alicia Bettis 1-for-3, Kipfer 3-for-4.