ALC Softball drops close pair on day 2 of Coca Cola Classic

Columbia, SC: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (3-6) returned to the Palmetto State on Valentine's Day to participate in the powerful Coca Cola Classic. In game one, they would face the Brenau University Golden Tigers (3-0), while in game two, the opponent would be the host club, the Columbia College Koalas. (5-3).

February 14th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-8: Brenau-10

The Georgia club held off a late Eagle rally to win the opener.

After Brenau opened the first with a pair of runs (2-0), ALC matched them to knot the contest at 2-2.

The Golden Tigers swiftly responded with 2 runs in both the third and fourth innings, and led 6-2 entering the bottom of the fourth.

In the same inning, the Pippa Passes posse delivered a trio of runs themselves to slice the deficit to one, 6-5. In the very next inning, they would plate another score. Suddenly the contest was knotted up, 6-6.

Things remained unchanged until the sixth. In that inning, the BU came through with 4 huge runs to pull ahead, 10-6.

In their final at bat, the Caney Creek crew would attempt to rally and they responded with a pair of runs to make the score 10-8. Unfortunately, with the tying run on base, the rally would end and hand the win to Brenau.

At the plate, Arin Rife (1B) and Chloe Taylor (SS) delivered 4 and 3 hits respectively while Taylor had 2 RBI's.

Kinna Justice suffered the loss on the mound. She went 6 innings, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs (6 earned runs), with 4 strikeouts. Arin Rife pitched to the final three batters, and whiffed them all. 

The Lady Eagles actually won the hitting-battle, 12-10, but were their own worst enemy with 4 errors.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-0: Columbia-3

ALC lost a heartbreaker despite allowing only 2 hits.

The Bluegrass bunch loaded the bases in the first, but left all runner stranded.

Columbia went hitless until the third, when they used a pair of singles to deliver 3 big runs and lead, 3-0.

In the fourth, ALC loaded the bases once again, but unfortunately, went down swinging.

The Koalas had no more hits the remainder of the way and the contest went into the final inning with the score unchanged.

Disappointingly for the Kentucky club, they would go down in order to end the day.

Jordan Rakes (RF), Arin Rife (P), Rachel Rife (LF), Mckenzie Orfield (3B), and Brook Baker (SS) each smacked a single for the Lady Eagles.

 On the mound, Arin Rife started, allowing only 2 singles in 5 innings of work, walking 6 batters. Justice closed the final inning and allowed 0 hits.

The Eagles led in hits (5-2) but did commit 2 errors compared to Columbia's 0. They hurt themselves by leaving 7 runners on base, twice having the bases loaded.