Lady Eagles Softball Splits with West Virginia Tech on Senior Day

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team returned to action on April 15^th as they hosted the West Virginia Tech Golden Bears in River States Conference action. The contest marked Senior Day for the Lady Eagles.

When the dust had settled after two challenging games, the hosts had chalked up a split for the series. ALC's record now stands at 10-24 (5-17 RSC), while the Golden Bears are now 17-19 (7-11 RSC).

April 15th

GAME 1

Alice Lloyd-2; WVT-5

The Lady Golden Bears came from behind late to pull out the opener in a pitcher's duel.

The visitors produced the opening run in their first at bat when a single made the score 1-0.

In that same inning, after the first two batters grounded out, Lyndsey Adkins (1B) hit a double. She was followed by Aspyn Branham (3B) who promptly matched her, and the game was tied, 1-1.

In the Eagle third, they would take the lead. Rachel Rife (LF) opened the inning with a single. She would later score on a sacrifice fly from Adkins (2-0).

Things would remain identical over the next two innings, but in the top of the sixth, the momentum dramatically changed. The Mountaineer squad would ride a triple, two singles, and three huge errors to put up a big 4-spot. Suddenly, the visitors led 5-2.

Now, in desperate need of runs, the hometown team went hitless in the final two innings. They did get two walks in their final opportunity, but with two on and two out, the final batter flied out to left to end the matchup.

At the plate, the Caney Creek ladies were limited to just 3 hits.

On the mound, Baylee Cox took the defeat despite a solid effort. In 5.2 innings, she allowed just 5 hits and 1 earned run, and only walked 2.

Maleigh Mcdaniel relieved the final 1.1 innings and only gave up 1 hit with 0 runs.

The Caney crew lost the hitting battle, 6-3, but 4 errors would prove costly.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 3; WVT-2

 ALC came from behind to take the second game and salvage a split. This game was also marked by solid pitching on both ends.

The Golden Bears opened the matchup by placing a runner on base, then lining a single to gain the run (1-0).

 In the bottom of the inning, ALC's Audrey Mowell (2B) drew a leadoff walk. After advancing to second, she would score on Branham's single to left to tie things at 1-1.

The second inning would put the Tech squad on top once more. A two-out double and triple would deliver the go-ahead run (2-1). The status quo would remain until the fifth.

In the fifth, a one-out double from Rife put the tying run in scoring position She would later sprint home on a WV Tech wild pitch (2-2).

After the Bears went three up-three down in the sixth, the Pippa Passes squad stuck again. The visitors would aid the Eagle cause by committing two errors to start the inning, Then, a third miscue enabled Adkins to race home with the go-ahead run (3-2). The damage could have been even greater, as the hosts loaded the bases with two away, but the final batter struck out to end the inning.

Now entering the top of the seventh and looking to preserve their slim lead, the Kentucky crew would add a little drama as they gave up a one-out walk. Later, the tying run would advance to second on a wild pitch.

Thankfully, to the relief of the hometown fans, the next two batters would fly out and pop up to second. This would chalk up the victory in the ALC column.

The Caney ladies would record 4 hits on the day, with Rife's double being the only extra-base hit.

On the mound, Haley Howell pitched brilliantly in taking the win. She allowed just 4 hits and 2 earned runs in her 6 innings of work. Kursten Napier slammed the door shut in the seventh to grab the save. She walked 1 and allowed 0 hits.

Both squads registered just 4 hits, but the guests aided the home club greatly by committing the only 4 errors of the game.