Alice Lloyd Baseball Eagles Travel to Oakland City for Three-game RSC Series

Oakland City, IN: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team traveled to the Hoosier state on April 14^th-15th to face the Oakland City University Mighty Oaks in River States Conference play. After the final out was registered, the hosts had swept the series. With the losses, ALC drops to 12-29 (1-20 RSC), while the Indiana crew improved to 27-14 (10-11 RSC)

April 14, 2023

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-0; OCU-3

In the contest, both clubs battled hard, but OCU held on to the victory.

The pitching by both squads was strong for the first five innings. Finally, in the bottom half, the Oaks broke through.

Oakland City would score the first run of the game on a single, then add a second run with a long flyout. They now led, 2-0.

Nothing would change until the eighth when the hosts added an insurance run on another single (3-0). Unfortunately, for the Eagles, they could never get the one hit they needed to start a rally, and the contest ended soon afterward.

The Bluegrass boys registered 4 hits on the day, with all of them being singles. Their counterparts had 10 hits

On the mound, Will Gladson took the tough loss. In 8 innings, he allowed 10 hits and 3 runs, with 2 strikeouts. OCU had the lone error on the day.

April 15, 2023

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-0; OCU-14

In the contest, the Oaks came up big in the middle innings to take the run-away victory.

The hosts struck in the third, when a double plated two scores (2-0).  However, they were just heating up.

In the very next inning, Oakland City would use a triple, double, and an error to gain five huge runs (7-0).

In the fifth, the Hoosier club would do even better, as they used two well-place singles to lead to a big six-spot. Now, the Pippa Passes team found themselves trailing 13-0.

One more single in the sixth made the home fans happy, as it brought in the final run of the day (14-0).

The visitors registered 6 hits for the game, with Noah Dingess (1B) gaining 2 of those, including a double. He was joined by Dawson Beckett, who replaced him at first, and also hit a double

On the mound, Chase Conley dropped the decision. In 3.2 innings, he allowed 9 hits and 7 runs, but just 2 were earned. He added 5 strikeouts. He was relieved by Trenton Williams who gave up 6 runs on 2 hits in 0.2 innings. Lucas Combs went the final 1.2 innings, relinquishing 2 hits and 1 run in 1.2 innings.

The victors produced 13 hits compared to the Eagles' 6, while ALC committed 3 errors, compared to OCU's 1.

Game 3

Alice Lloyd-7; OCU-9

The final game was a barnburner, with numerous lead changes, but the home club came back at the end to take the series sweep.

The Eagles struck quickly in the first when a fielder's choice gave them a 1-0 advantage.

Unfortunately, the Oaks would respond with a triple, double, and wild pitch to vault ahead 4-1.

 Happily, the third was a nice inning for the Caney Creek crew. After Dawson Beckett (1B) and TJay Mullins (LF) both smacked hits to reach base, Dalton Rouse (DH) drove a fastball over the left field fence for 3 quick runs, that knotted the game, 4-4.

However, the home squad quickly broke the tie in the same inning as a long fly ball brought in an Oaks teammate (5-4). Once again, The Bluegrass boys responded.

In the fourth, with two Eagle runners on base, Mullins unleashed a big swing and drove the pitch over the left field fence to put his buddies on top, 7-5.

OCU earned one of those back in the bottom of that inning with a single (7-6). Disappointingly, the game was set to turn in the sixth.

In that crucial inning, Oakland City would see two men reach base. Then, they received a three-run shot of their own. Just like that, the Indiana club led 9-7.

Down to their last opportunity, ALC would go out in the seventh, and hand Oakland City the come-back win.

Alice Lloyd registered 13 hits in the game. Mullins was the hitting star, going 4-4 with 3RBI's.  with Dalton Rouse (DH) adding 2 hits and 3 RBIs of his own.

In addition, Ryan Cozart (3B) and Nick Van Keuren (RF) each added 2 hits to the cause.

On the mound, Peyton Branham was on the wrong end of the decision. He went six innings, allowing 11 hits and 9 runs, with 3 strikeouts.

The visitors produced 13 hits compared to the home team's 11, while both squads made 1 error.