ALC Softball opens CAC Tournament play; remain red-hot by defeating Carolina University, 4-1

Lawrenceville, GA: The #4 seeded Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles softball squad opened play in the double-elimination Continental Athletic Conference Tournament on April 29^th, facing the #5 seeded Carolina University Bruins (14-29).

The Bluegrass bombers jumped ahead early and used a stellar pitching performance to take the opener, 4-1. The win marks their 13^th consecutive and 26^th in their last 27-games.

April 29th

Game 1(Seven Innings)

Alice Lloyd-4: CU-1

The Lady Eagles started the tourney right as they took the opener.

At the beginning of the game, the Lady Eagles showed a few tournament jitters as the Bruins used a walk, ALC error, and single to load the bases with 2-away. However, Caney Creek pitcher Kinna Justice came through and struck out the next batter to end the threat, and settle her club down.

ALC struck in the bottom of the inning when Mackenzie Newport (CF) walked, advanced to second on Mckenzie Orfield's (3B) single, and scampered home on an RBI single from Arin Rife (1B). This made the score 1-0.

In the next inning, Abby Maynard (DP) and Newport both singled. Then with 2-away, Orfield walked to load the bases. With Rife's big-bat now at home plate, the Carolina pitcher avoided her to walk in a run (2-0). However, Brooke Baker (SS) then smashed a hot grounder that was misplayed, and the Tar Heel club gifted the Pippa Passes posse a 3-0 advantage.

Next, in the third inning, Maynard singled, and raced to third when Newport repeated that feat. When CU then made a costly throwing error attempting to pick her off base, Maynard took full advantage and ran home. The scoreboard now blared 4-0.

The Kentucky kids maintained that score over the next three innings as Justice controlled the game, allowing only a pair of hits. However, in the seventh, she began to tire slightly, and the North Carolina squad loaded the bases with 2-outs.

Lady Eagle mentor Nathan Hall then turned to his bullpen and brought in Rife, who was just named CAC Player of the Year, and leads the league in whiffs. She promptly blew a fastball by the Bruin batter to chalk up the first tourney victory for "The Pass".

At the plate, Newport, Orfield, and Maynard each rapped 2 hits while Rife paved the way with her 2 RBIs.

On the mound, Justice continued her excellent final season by allowing just 3 hits through six innings, and only 5 for the game. In 6.2 innings of impressive work, she allowed just 1 run and 2 walks, while striking out 6. Rife struck out the final batter to seal the contest.

The Lady Eagles also won the hitting battle, 7-5 and committed fewer errors, 3-1.  

With the win, ALC now play their second match on Wednesday when they battle the #1 seeded Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies.