ALC Baseball faces Grace Christian University in four-game series at Battle of the Smokies

Kingsport, TN: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles (13-10) baseball team returned to the diamond on March 13^th-14^th as they ventured to the Volunteer State to face the Grace Christian University Tigers (12-6) at the Battle of the Smokies, in a four-game series . The Bluegrass crew hit the ball well in the opener, only to see their bats turn cold as they dropped the final three matches.

March 13th

Game 1 

Alice Lloyd-12: GCU-3

The Eagle bats did their job in the opener to hand ALC the win.

The scoring opened right out of the gate as the Tiger pitcher hit the opening batter, gave up a Diego Rodriguez (2B) single and walked the next man to load the bases. Surprisingly, he then hit another Eagle to bring home a gift run, 1-0.

In the very next inning, the Caney Creekers used 4 singles and a big double from Aaron Rothballer (DH) to plate 6 runs. Suddenly, the Kentucky crew led 7-1.

In the top of the fifth, the Tigers dented the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly, 7-2. However, the blue and white made it up in the bottom half when Rodriguez doubled in a teammate (8-2).

Later, in the bottom of the sixth, Grace Christian pitching walked a trio of Eagles, then gave RBI singles to Cole Bishop (C) and Colton Lovelace (SS). This vaulted the Kentucky kids to a 12-2 cushion.

While the Michigan squad would score a pair of runs in their final at-bat (12-4), it would be too little too-late as ALC clinched the victory.

 At the plate, Rodriguez went 2-3, while John Lopez (RF), Kyle Compton (RF), Rothballer, Lovelace, and Bishop each added 2 RBI's.

Ryan Grubbs started on the mound, and was on his game. In five innings of work, he allowed just 1 earned runs on 3 hits.  He stuck out 3 and walked 1.

Thomas Forehand went the final two innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits.

The Eagles won the hitting battle 9-5 and committed 1 error. They also led in steals, 7-0.

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-1, GCU-3

The Tigers won in a pitching duel.

The northern squad would open the scoring in the second on a solo blast, 1-0, but ALC's Compton singled in the tying run in the fourth, 1-1.

However, in the top of the sixth, another solo homerun from GCU gave them a 2-1 lead. Shortly afterwards, an Eagle error delivered another score, and Grace now led, 3-1.

The Bluegrass bunch placed a pair of runners on the basepaths in the sixth, but left them both stranded. They then went down quietly in the seventh to hand GCU the win.

 At the plate, Compton, Rodriguez, Lopez, and Rothballer all singled, while Compton provided the lone RBI.

Trenton Williams started on the mound and pitched well in defeat. In 5.2 innings, he allowed just 4 hits and 2 earned runs with 4 whiffs and 4 walks.

Austyn Collins went 1.1 innings, allowing 0 hits with 1 walk, while Niklas Kidd retired the final batter.

The two clubs tied in hits, 4-4, but the victors made less errors, 2-0.

March 14th

Game 1

 Alice Lloyd-1: GCU-3

The Michigan pitchers silenced the ALC bats to take the opener.

The visiting squad would use a single in the second to drive home a run, and repeat the process in the third to inch ahead, 2-0. Nothing changed until the seventh as the pitching remained solid.

In the final inning, Grace grabbed an insurance run with a ground ball (3-0).

Now, down to their final opportunity, the Eagles marked the scoreboard when Lovelace singled in a buddy, 3-1. However, with the tying run at the plate and two away, the final Eagle batter would hit a deep fly that was not deep enough, and GCU held on for the win.

 At the plate, Lopez, Lovelace and Eric Lasso (1B) had the only Eagle hits while Lovelace had the lone RBI.

Gibbs Cochran started and suffered the loss. In 3.1 innings, he allowed 7 hits, but just a pair of earned runs, with 3 K's and 0 walks.

Matthew Hebar relieved and allowed just 3 hits with 1 earned run and 1 K in 3.2 innings.

The Eagles were outhit, 10-3 and each club committed 1 error.

Game 2

 Alice Lloyd-3: GCU-6

The ALC bats remained frigid as they dropped the finale.

After the visiting squad used a triple to plate a pair of runs in the first, 2-0, the Pippa Passes posse used a walk and 2-run RBI from Kenneth Hernandez (2B) to take the lead, 3-2.

Unfortunately, that would be the high-water mark for the Caney Creek crew.  From that point, the Eastern Kentucky club would only have one more hit the rest of the way as Grace capitalized with 4 more runs.

In their final at bat, Alice Lloyd would place a pair of runners on base via walks, but a double-play ball would end the threat.

At the plate, Hernandez, Loveless, and Cole recorded the only hits.

Sunny Smith started on the mound and took the loss, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs in 4.2 innings. He whiffed 3. Quentin Williams relieved, allowing 0 hits in 1.1 innings, with 1 strikeout.

Anakin Floyd followed and went 0.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits, while Parker Williams finished, allowing 1 hit and 0 runs in 0.1 innings. 

The Tigers rapped 10 hits to 3 for the Eagles., which enabled them to overcome a 4-1 error disadvantage.