Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagle Softball Opens 2025 Season in North Carolina

Marion, NC:  Despite the cold winter weather, the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (2-2) opened up softball play on Sunday, February 8th, when they journeyed to the Tar Heel state for warmer temperatures. They would face Indiana University-Columbus (1-3) then host Montreat University (3-1) on the next day.

February 8th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-9; IU Columbus-6

The Kentucky ladies took the opener with two big innings.

The scoring started in the first when Arin Rife (1B) rapped a single to drive in Jordan Rakes (DP). Later, with a pair of runners on base, Brooke Baker (SS) lined a ball over the left-field wall to clear the bases. ALC now led 4-0.

In the third, IUC sliced the deficit in half with a pair of unearned runs (4-2). The momentum would change back in the next inning.

In the fourth, the Bluegrass bombers would use a Baker double, 3 walks, and a single to plate 5 big runs. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 9-2.

The Crimson Pride managed 2 runs in both the sixth and seventh innings (9-6), but a game-ending strikeout would hand the season-opener to the Lady Eagles.

Baker and Rife led the way, as each finished with 2 hits and 3 RBI's.

Their squad would finish with 4 hits, leave 1 runner on base and only commit 1 error

Kinna Justice earned the pitching victory on the mound. She went 7.2 innings, allowing 12 hits and 4 earned runs, with 1 strikeout. Rife pitched to the final batter, and whiffed her as well. 

The Hoosier club recorded 12 hits, left 7 stranded on base, and committed 1 error.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-6; IU Columbus-3

ALC used 4 doubles to earn the sweep.

The Caney Creek crew scored in the first behind an error (1-0). They added to that in the third when Rife smacked a run-producing single to make the score 2-0.

In the Eagle fourth, Chloe Taylor (2B) doubled to produce the third score of the game (3-0).

In the IUC fifth, a double gave them their first run (3-1), but the Kentucky crew swiftly responded.

In their half of the inning, Alice Lloyd delivered 3 nice runs, fueled by doubles courtesy of Mckenzie Orfield (3B) and Baker. Now the score stood 6-1.

Columbus would produce a little drama in their final at-bat with 3 hits and a pair of scores (6-3). However, with the tying run at the plate, the final batter whiffed to end the festivities.

Rife and Taylor led the way with 2 hits apiece while Baker delivered 2 RBI's.

On the mound, Rife started and went the distance in earning the W. She allowed 7 hits and 3 runs, striking out 7 and walking 5. The Eagles played error-free ball.

The Crimson Pride recorded 7 hits, left 8 stranded on base, and committed 1 error.

February 9th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd- 3; Montreat-11

Monday saw the host Cavaliers play well and take both contests.

In the opener, the North Carolina squad produced 5 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks (5-0)

The Lady Eagles used a Rife double in the third to make a run back (5-1), only to see the hosts plate 4 more scores in the bottom of the inning on 5 hits. The score stood 9-1.

Although the visitors would add a run in the fourth, and another in the fifth off a double from Briley Aidala (C), Montreat would add 2 of their own in the fourth to preserve the victory.

Baker and Rife remained hot as both had a pair of hits. Rife, Aidala, and Shana Ray (RF) each had 1 RBI.

Justice suffered the loss on the mound. She allowed 10 hits and 9 earned runs while striking out 1 and walking 6. Katie Samuel pitched the last inning allowing 1 run.

The winners recorded 11 hits and had 0 errors compared to ALC's 2.

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-2; Montreat-17

The Cavaliers put on a hitting display to take the sweep.

The hosts rapped 9 singles to produce 9 runs in the first inning (9-0). The Pippa Passes club made 1 run back in the second on a walk, but the hosts quickly returned the favor (10-1).

In the third, Aidala doubled in a ALC run (10-2), but Montreat promptly added 5 runs to their tally, sparked by a pair of wild pitches (15-2). A pair of singles in the fourth made the final score 17-2.

Five different Lady Eagles had hits, with Aidala, Rife, Baker, Katie Deeds (1B) and Whitney Lippert (C) each providing 1. Aidala and Rachel Rife (LF) had the RBI's.

Arin Rife suffered the loss on the mound, as Orfield, Samuel and Justice all appeared in relief. They combined to allow 18 hits and 15 earned runs with 2 K's and 4 walks in a tough outing.