Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles Softball Splits with Carlow University in RSC play

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team returned to action on April 14^th as they hosted the Carlow Lady Celtics in River States Conference action. The squads battled to the end, with each taking a win. ALC saw their record move to 9-23 (3-12 RSC), while the Pennsylvania club now stands at 11-26 (6-14 RSC).

April 14th

GAME 1

Alice Lloyd-4; CU-3

The Lady Eagles held on in a pitcher's duel to take the opening victory in extra innings.

Through the first three innings, both clubs registered just one hit as the pitching was impressive. The visitors finally broke through in the fourth.

In that inning, a hit batter put a runner on base. The Celtics then scored with a double to take a 1-0 lead. However, the hosts would soon respond.

In the Eagle fifth, Maleigh Mcdaniel (P) singled for the hosts, then a walk placed Taylor Cox (SS) on base as well. A wild pitch then advanced both. The tying run scored on a long sacrifice fly (1-1). Next, the tie was broken when Alexis Morris (2B) smacked a single of her own. Suddenly, ALC led 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, the Pittsburgh club pounded a solo homer to tie the score (2-2), but the Caney Creek crew earned that run right back when McDaniel laced a double to bring in Ellie Keene (C) (3-2).

CU would tie things again in the seventh when a leadoff double and two hard grounders delivered the goods (3-3). The Lady Eagles placed two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh, but both were stranded, and the contest moved to extra action.

Carlow looked poised to score in the eighth as they saw two runners reach safely, but fortunately for the Eagle fans, McDaniel was able to pitch her way out of trouble.

The hosts then placed two of their own on base in the eighth, but Keene was thrown out at the plate trying for the game winner.

In the ninth, Carlow when down in order, giving the Pippa Passes posse another chance. This time, they took advantage.

With two outs, the hosts would see two runners reach base on walks, and bring Mckenzie Orfield to the plate. The shortstop patiently waited for the pitch she wanted and cooly drove a screaming liner to center field for a walk-off double to end the contest.

At the plate, Mcdaniel was a perfect 3-3 on the day while Aspyn Branham (3B) added 2 more.

Mcdaniel was huge on both sides of the field as she took the complete game victory from the mound. She allowed just 6 hits and 3 earned runs in 9 innings. She struck out 3 batters and only walked 1.

The Caney crew also won the hitting battle, 7-6 and both clubs committed 1 error.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 4; CU-7

 ALC gave a solid effort, before dropping a close contest that was shortened by rain.

The Lady Celtics opened the matchup by placing a runner on base, then receiving a double to push ahead,1-0. Fortunately, ALC got out of a bases-loaded jam with no more runs scoring

Later, in the bottom of the inning, Lyndsey Adkins caught hold of a fastball and drove it over the left field fence to knot the score at 1-1.

The crucial inning would prove to be the third. Carlow would uncork two doubles and two singles and deliver four big runs. They now led 5-1.

The Lady Eagles fought back in the same inning. After an Orfield walk and an Adkins single, Branham uncorked a huge blast over the left field wall to clear the bases. The score now read 5-4, Celtics.

In the fourth, a leadoff triple and single would gain the Pittsburgh crew another run (6-4). Then in the sixth, a wild pitch and error gave the visitors an insurance run (7-4).

The home squad got a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the sixth when Adkins led off with a single. Unfortunately, the next three batters all grounded out to end the inning. Immediately after, the heavens opened, and the rain came down, forcing a stop to the matchup.

The Bluegrass girls would record 6 hits on the day, with Adkins (3) and Branham (2) accounting for nearly all of them. Branham also had 3 RBI's.

On the mound, Kursten Napier suffered the loss. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 4 hits, with 4 earned runs and 2 Ks. Haley Howell came on in relief, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs in her 1.2 innings of work. Orfield went the final 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 run. She struck out 1.

Alice Lloyd was outhit 10-6 and committed the only error of the game.