ALC Softball remains red-hot; sweep four-game series against Kent State-Tuscarawas on Senior Weekend

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles (28-12) softball squad returned to action on April 10^th-11^th as they returned home to tackle the Kent State Tuscarawas Golden Eagles (6-18).

 ALC honored an outstanding group of seniors, including Katie Deeds, Kinna Justice, McKenzie Orfield, Rachael Rife, and Chloe Taylor. The fantastic five were sent off the right way as they dominated the four-game series to earn their nineteenth win in their past twenty match-ups.

April 10th

Game 1 (Five Innings)

Alice Lloyd-10: KST-2

The Lady Eagles scored in every inning and rolled to the solid win.

The hosts opened the first inning with a bang. After placing a pair of runners on base, a big double from Orfield (3B) brought them home (2-0). Later, after another duo reached the paths, Taylor (2B) smacked her own double to raise the score to 4-0. Finally, Abby Maynard (DH) laced a single to plate Taylor. The Pippa Passes Punishers now led 5-0.

The Golden Eagles would gain a run back in the second, aided by an error from the home team (5-1). However, the Kentucky kids made up for that mistake in the same inning on a RBI single from Arin Rife (1B). The scoreboard now read 6-1.

In the third, Kent State used a fielders choice to slice the deficit to 6-2, only to see Caney Creeker Jordan Rakes (LF) lace a single of her own to lift the home crew to a five-run lead once more (7-2).

Later, in the bottom of the fifth, a Tuscarawas error, fielder's choice, and single from Whitney Lippert (C) plated a trio of runs to make things 10-2. The home team would then seal the deal in the top of the fifth.

At the plate, Maynard and Rife led the way, both batting 3-3, while Maynard, Taylor, and Orfield all delivered a pair of RBIs.

Justice started on the mound and took the complete-game victory. In 5 innings, she allowed just 2 hits and 2 runs with 4 strikeouts and 1walk. 

The victors led in hits, 12-2, and the Kentucky club was aided by 4 Kent State errors.

GAME 2 (Five Innings)

Alice Lloyd-10: KST-2

ALC matched the score from the first game to take the second.

The visitors jumped ahead in their opening at bat, aided by an error from the hosts (1-0), but the home club would make amends.

In the lower half of the inning, back-to-back doubles from Rife (P) and Brooke Baker (SS) would make the score 2-1.

The Buckeye club would manage to knot the contest up at 2-2 in the third with a sacrifice, but that would be short-lived.

In the same inning, the Caney Clubbers would use a flurry of well-placed singles from Baker, Justice, and Shana Ray (RF) to produce a five-run inning. Just like that, the score read 7-2.

Later in the fourth, the Kentucky squad would put the contest on ice when Rakes sparked a three-run burst by stealing home. Her move would be followed by an error from the visitors and sacrifice grounder, to set the score 10-2.

The home crew would conclude the match by retiring the Golden Eagles harmlessly in the fifth.

At the plate, six different Lady Eagles had 1 hit with Rife and Baker's being doubles. Justice drove in 3 runs while Baker provided a pair of her own.

On the mound, Rife tossed a complete game 3-hitter. She dominated, allowing 3 walks, and 1 earned run, striking out 10 Golden Eagles.

April 11th

Game 1 (Five Innings)

Alice Lloyd-10: KST-2

The Lady Eagles would continue their dominance on Day 2, scoring in practically every inning and controling the mound.

The hosts opened the first inning with a pair of runs provided by a sacrifice fly and Kent State error (2-0), and would match that in the second with another two-scores off of a pair of sacrifice flies to pull ahead 4-0.

The small ball remained fruitful in the third, as a sacrifice grounder made the score 5-0.

In the fourth, the pattern shifted. After Mackinzie Newport (CF) singled, Orfield blasted a home run to dead-center to change the scoreboard to 7-0.

Tuscarawas broke the ice in the fifth when they laced a solo blast (7-1), but ALC answered.

In the bottom of the inning, Taylor drew a walk. The contest then ended when Lippert lined a fastball over the center field fence (9-1).

At the plate, Rakes and Lippert both batted 2-3, with Lippert's 3 RBIs and Orfield's 2 leading in that department.

Justice started on the mound and impressed once more. In 5 innings, she allowed just 4 hits and 1 run with 2 strikeouts and 0 walks. 

The victors led in hits, 8-4, and saw the guests commit the games lone error.

GAME 2 (Five Innings)

Alice Lloyd-11: KST-0

ALC saved their most dominate effort for the finale.

The Bluegrass Bashers sprinted out the dugout ready for action, sandwiching singles by Newport and Taylor around a flurry of pitching errors to plate 4 scores (4-0).

They followed that up in the second with a run on a Rakes single and sacrifice grounder (5-0).

In the third, KST gifted a pair of runs on a wild pitch and error. "The Pass" now led 7-0.

The scoring concluded in the fourth with the big hit being a bases-clearing double from Maynard (11-0). The Ohio club would go down in the fifth to chalk up the 'W' for the eastern Kentucky crew.

At the plate, Orfield, Rakes, and Taylor each swatted a pair of hits while Maynard (3) and Taylor (2) provided multiple RBIs.

On the mound, Rife tossed a 1-hit shutout. In 4.2 innings, she was in total control, allowing 1 walk and 0 runs, while striking out 7 Golden Eagles. Orfield threw to the final batter and whiffed her as well.