ALC Lady Eagle Softball battles Grace Indiana for 4 games in weekend action

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (8-8) returned to Caney Creek over the weekend for a four-game series against the Grace College Lady Lancers (3-1) on February 20th-21st. The entire series would be close, but the Indiana squad would come away with a trio of victories.

February 20th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-6: Grace-8

The Indiana club rallied in their final at-bat to take the opener.

After Grace opened the first with a solo blast (1-0), ALC used an error in the bottom of the inning to tie the score (1-1).

The Lancers swiftly responded with a 2-run homer in the third and RBI single in the fourth. This pushed the visitor advantage to 4-1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lady Eagle Brooke Baker (SS) singled to drive in a score. This reduced the deficit to two, 4-2.

Later, in the sixth, the Caney Creek crew put together their best inning. A double from Chloe Taylor (2B), a pair of singles by Mackinzie Newport (LF) and Katie Deeds (1B), plus a wild pitch by the Lancers plated four big scores. Heading into the final inning, ALC held a 6-5 cushion.

In their final chance, the Hoosier club came through with 3 crucial runs to pull ahead, 8-6.

Now down to their final at bat, the Caney Creek crew would attempt to rally, but were unable to get the one hit they needed.

At the plate, Newport led the way with her pair of hits and joined Baker, Deeds, Taylor and Mckenzie Orfield (3B) with RBI's.

Kinna Justice staarted and went 6 innings, allowing 10 hits and 5 runs (6 earned runs), with 3 strikeouts. Arin Rife pitched the final inning and suffered the loss. She allowed 3 hits and 3 runs with a pair of K's.

The Lady Lancers won the hitting-battle, 12-10, and each club made 1 error.  

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-4: Grace -6

ALC fell behind, rallied, but fell short.

Grace plated 2 in the second on a double, 1 in the fourth on a single, and 3 in the sixth on a double and single. This, coupled with the hosts not getting the crucial hit

when needed, would allow GC to pull ahaed 6-0.

Finally, in the sixth, ALC dented the board when Briley Aidala (C) singled in a teammate (6-1).

Eventually, in the bottom of the seventh, the hosts rode singles from Arin Rife and Aidala to produce 3 runs. However, with the tying run on base, the rally would end and hand the match to the Indiana squad.

Aidala and Newport both rapped 2 hits while Aidala produced 2 RBI's.

On the mound, Arin Rife started, suffering the hard-luck loss. In six innings of work she allowed just 4 hits, and 6 runs while walking 3 batters. She also struck out a season-high 10 batters. Justice closed the final inning and allowed 0 hits with 1 K.

The Eagles led in hits (7-4) but did commit 2 errors compared to Columbia's 0, and further hurt themselves by leaving 8 runners on base.

February 21st

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-1: Grace-0

The Bluegrass club got a great pitching performance to win the opener.

In their first at-bat, Baker unleashed a double. Then, after advancing to third, an error allowed her to roar home to give ALC a quick 1-0 lead.

From there, Justice took over on the mound. She kept the Lancer bats in check all game long as she controled each inning all the way to the final out. Her masterful performance allowed her squad to take the nice victory.

At the plate, Taylor went 2-3. and Baker had the lone extra-base hit.

Justice was in top form on the mound. She went 7 innings, allowing only 4 singles in her shutout win, with 1 strikeout. 

The Lady Eagles won the hitting-battle, 5-4, and played error-free ball.  

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-2: Grace -4

ALC lost a heartbreaker despite allowing only 5 hits.

For six innings, the only runs to score were 2 in the Grace fourth on a crucial error (2-0).

Finally, in the seventh,  they grabbed some insurance with a 2-run single. This lifted them to a 4-0 lead.

Down to their final opportunity, the home squad made things interesting. Jordan Rakes (LF) would single. Then she would trot home when Taylor lined a homerun over the right field fence (4-2). Unfortunately, GC would manage to settle down enough to close the contest and take the win.

Rakes led the way with 2 hits while Taylor smacker the homerun and brought home 2 RBI's.

On the mound, Arin Rife suffered another tough loss. She went the distance, giving up just 5 singles, 4 runs (2 earned) and 1 walk. She struck-out 6.

The Eagles led in hits once again (6-5) but did commit 1 crucial error and leave 5 on base.