ALC Softball faces Pikeville in four-game series

Pikeville/ Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (9-11) returned to action over the weekend for a four-game series against the UPike Lady Bears (3-1) on February 28th/March 1st. The first two games would be played in Pikeville while the next two would be played in Pippa Passes.

February 28th (@UPike)

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-0: UPike-10

The Bears jumped ahead early and took the opener.

Pikeville opened the first with a double and single to plate 3 runs (3-0). They followed that up in the next inning by using a pair of singles, a double,and several walks to score 6 runs. Suddenly, they led 9-0.

Finally, in the fourth, UP would double in a final runner to leap ahead 10-0. They would then close out the contest in the next inning.

At the plate, Brooke Baker (SS), Jordan Rakes (LF) and Shana Ray (RF) had the only hits for the Lady Eagles.

Kinna Justice started and went 4 innings, allowing 10 hits and 8 runs (7 earned runs), with 1 strikeout.

The victors won the hitting-battle, 12-3, and no errors were committed 

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-9: UPike-5

ALC rallied in their final at-bat to earn a split on the day.

The Pass started the scoring in the third when a double from Arin Rife (P) and single from Briley Aidala (C) delivered a trio of runs, 3-0. However, a wild pitch allowed the Bears to earn one of those back in the bottom half (3-1).

Then, in the UPike fourth, a pair of doubles, surrounding a wild pitch, gave the hosts 4 more runs. Pikeville now led 5-3.

The Caney Creekers gained a score back in the sixth on a ground ball, but they still trailed 5-4 entering the final inning.

In the seventh, the momentum swung as ALC used doubles from Mckinzie Orfield (3B) and Katie Deeds (1B) to spark a huge rally. When the dust settled, the Blue and White led 9-5. They would then close out the contest to take the victory.

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

On the mound Rife started. In six innings of work she allowed just 5 hits, and 5 runs while striking out 4 batters.  Justice closed the final inning and took the win. She allowed 1 hits with 1 K.

The Eagles led in hits (8-6) but did commit 2 errors.

March 1st (@ Pippa Passes)

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-3: UPike-7

The Eagles returned home and started well, but could not hold on to the lead as they dropped the opener.

In their first at-bat, Rife brought in the first run with a single (1-0). Then in the second, an error from the visitors combined with a Mackinzie Neport (CF) single, plated a pair of runs. The hosts now led 3-0. Unfortunately, the tide would quickly turn.

In the fourth, a pair of Bear singles plus a double, gave them 4 big runs. They now led 4-3.

Then in the UP seventh, they lined another single and took advantage of errors from the home squad to add to that advantage. The contest would end with Pikeville on top, 7-3.

At the plate, Newport went 2-3. and joined Rife by registering a RBI.

Justice started on the mound, and went 6.1 innings in the loss. She, allowed 12 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), and whiffed 2. Rife closed the game, allowing 2 hits, but 0 runs.

The Lady Eagles were doubled-up in hits (14-7) and made 3 errors.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-3: UPike-5

ALC lost an extra-inning heartbreaker after grabbing an early lead.

The scoring began in the third when Rife smacked a hard double that produced a pair of scores, 2-0.

However, Upike answered in the fifth with a 2-run double of their own (2-2). Then in the sixth, they inched ahead 3-2 on an error. from ALC

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pass tied the contest when Deeds was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and nobody out (3-3). However, the Bears would allow no more runs. This would prove important.

Both squads went down in the seventh and the contest went to extra-innings. Neither could connect in the eighth, but in the top of the ninth, and a pair of runners on base, UP broke the tie with a clutch single (5-3).

Now, in desperate need of runs, the Caney Crew went down in order to hand the visitors the win.

At the plate, Newport, Orfield, Baker, and Chloe Taylor (2B) all smacked 2 hits whil Rife brought home 2 RBI's.

On the mound, Rife suffered another tough loss. She went the distance, giving up 8 hits, 5 runs (2 earned) and 4 walks. She struck-out 2.

The Eagles led in hits  (13-8) but hurt themselves immensely with 3 crucial errors.