Alice Lloyd Softball splits series with Kentucky Christian University

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (16-12) returned home on April 8th to face the Kentucky Christian University Knights (14-20) in a softball doubleheader. The Caney Creek crew fought till the end and would earn a split for their efforts.

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-9:  KCU-5

The Pippa Passes posse took the early lead and preserved it to take the opener.

The Lady Eagles started well, using a pair of singles and Mckenzie Orfield (3B) double to plate a trio of scores, 3-0. However, the visitors did the exact same thing in the second, and garnered a pair of runs to set the scoreboard 3-2.

In the host third, Orfield, Maleigh McDaniel (P) and Arin Rife (DP) delivered consecutive singles to plate a run (4-2). Later, a pair of wild pitches brought 1 more run home. Now the score stood 5-2, Alice Lloyd.

In inning four, KCU chipped into the deficit,on the strength of a two-run blast (5-4), but the bottom half would prove crucial to the blue and white. In that at-bat, ALC utilized the small-ball, combining 3 walks, a pair of steals, 2 wild pitches, and a single to produce 3 important scores. Quickly, the home crew led 8-4.

The Pippa Passes posse would then add a little more insurance in the fifth when Carlee Muncy (1B) smacked a double to deliver a teammate, and give her squad a 9-4 cushion. Even though KCU added a run in the sixth (9-5), they would go down in order in the seventh to end the matchup.

At the plate, ALC saw A. Rife, Orfield, and Lauren Morris (SS) all rap 2 hits , while Orfield, Muncy, A.Rife, Rachel Rife (LF) and Ellie Keene (C) each delivered a RBI.

On the mound, McDaniel went the distance. She recorded the nice win, allowing 4 unearned runs on 10 hits with 3 strikeouts. 

The two clubs tied in hits (10-10) and errors (1-1), but the victors made the timely plays when most needed.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 4; KCU-7

The Caney Creek crew led after four innings, but squandered it late in dropping the nightcap.

The guests struck out of the gate, using a double and single to sprint out on top, 2-0. ALC cut that in half in the bottom of the inning when R. Rife singled, then eventually scored on a grounder (2-1).

In the top of the fourth inning, a KCU single and Lady Eagle error make the score 3-1, Knights.  Happily, ALC would make amends in their next at-bat.

In the bottom of that inning, 5 well-timed singles would pay dividends, allowing a trio of runs to score. This suddenly gave the home town crew a 5-3 advantage. Unfortunately, it wouldn't last.

In the fifth, after the first two Knight batters went down, things changed for the worst. Kentucky Christian suddenly unleashed 5 consecutive singles, leading to a flurry of 3 scores, giving KCU a 6-5 lead. They then managed to gain a pair of singles in the sixth, and plate an important run. This now put them on top, 7-4.

In the Eagle sixth, Muncy would single, but not advance. The hosts then went down in order in their final chance, handing KCU the win.

At the plate, Muncy and McDaniel each delivered  a pair of singles, with Muncy, McDaniel, Morris, and Keene provided the RBI's

A. Rife suffered the tough pitching loss, giving up 7 runs on 13 hits.

The hosts were outhit, 13-9 and committed the matchups lone error.