Lady Eagles Softball Splits with Ohio Christian University in Conference Play

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles returned home on March 28th for a doubleheader against a solid River States Conference opponent, Ohio Christian University. In a series that saw good pitching performances by both clubs, ALC (6-14; 2-8 RSC) would walk away with a split against the Trailblazers (12-8; 2-4 RSC)

March 28th

GAME ONE

OCU-3; Alice Lloyd-5

The Lady Eagles used their pitching to stay close before unleashing a big sixth inning to pull out the opening game.

OCU struck in the second when a solo shot to right gave them a 1-0 lead. They would add another score in the fourth when a fielder's choice allowed a baserunner to run home from third base (2-0). However, the hosts changed the momentum in the next inning.

In the fifth, after Maleigh McDaniel (SS) reached base with a triple, Mckenzie Orfield (3B) drove her in with a single to slice the deficit in half (2-1). One inning later, ALC would build off of that play.

Initially, in the Caney Creek club's sixth inning, things looked bad as the first two batters flied out. Then, Alexis Morris (2B) came through by lacing a double. That was followed by Ellie Keene (CF) knoting the score when she lined a single up the middle to bring in her teammate (2-2).

The Ohio team's pitcher then walked the next batter to place runners on second and first, and McDaniel approached the plate once more. The shortstop promptly made the home fans happy as she unloaded on a fast ball and pummeled it over the left-field fence. Suddenly, ALC led 5-2.

In the seventh, the Trailblazers went down in order, handing the come-back win to the ladies from Pippa Passes.

At the plate, McDaniel was the hitting star. She went 2-3 with a homer, a triple, and 3 RBIs.

On the mound, Baylee Cox (P) was impressive as she went the distance. She allowed only 4 hits and 3 earned runs. She gave up 2 walks and struck out 3 batters.

ALC won the hitting battle, 5-4, and the game was error-free. 

GAME TWO

OCU 7; Alice Lloyd-3

The Buckeye squad turned the tables by making a late comeback of their own to steal the second game and achieve a split.

The OCU ladies struck first when an error gave them a gift run in the opening inning (1-0). Fortunately for the home team, they would return the gift in the next inning.

In the Eagle second, after an Aspyn Branham (DH) double, Ohio Christian committed 3 big errors. This turn of events permitted 3 runs to reach home and give the Kentucky ladies a 3-1 advantage. Things remained the same until the fifth.

In the top of that inning, two Trailblazer singles, sandwiched around an error and walk, allowed them to earn back a run (3-2). Then, for the second straight game, the sixth inning would be the difference-maker.

In the top of inning six, two errors from ALC combined with 2 doubles from OCU opened the floodgates and led to 5 huge runs. Just like that, the Caney Creek club trailed 7-2.

This turn of events invigorated the Ohio club, and their pitcher promptly retired the side in both the sixth and seventh innings to give them the split.

For ALC, Morris and Aspyn Branham (DH) each had a double.

Starting pitcher Kurstin Napier deserved a better fate. She went 6 innings and gave up just 4 hits, and 1 earned run with 0 walks. She was relieved in the final inning by McDaniel, who suffered the loss, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs. The squad recorded no strikeouts on the day.

Ohio Christian won the hitting battle, 6-4. The hosts hurt themselves with 4 errors.