ALC Softball drops extra-inning heartbreaker in Mideast Regional Championship

May 7th

(Eight Innings)

Alice Lloyd-2: KCU-4

Pippa Passes, KY: The top seeded Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles (36-16) softball squad returned to the diamond in the double-elimination NCCAA Mideast Regional Tournament on May 7th, facing the #2 seeded Kentucky Christian University Knights (28-25).

The two combatants had split the first pair of games in extra innings, and this winner-take-all match would be just as nerve racking. Eventually, KCU tied the match in the seventh inning to force extra-play, then won the contest in the eighth, 4-2.

The Lady Eagles would break the ice in the first. Mackinzie Orfield (3B) stroked a single, then was able to race home on Arin Rife's (P) single down the line. This gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

Things remained the same until the fourth. In that inning, KCU smacked a triple with two outs. This proved vital as the next batter singled to tie the score at 1-1.

The Pippa Passes posse would have an answer in the fifth. With two away, Jordan Rakes (LF) singled, then promptly swiped second. This brought Orfield to bat and she came through with a double to make the score 2-1. The hosts had an opportunity to add to that when Orfield took third on a wild pitch, but the next batter struck out to leave her stranded.

In the sixth, the Knights went down in order and the Caney Creek crew placed a runner on second when Whitney Lippert (C) drove a double of her own. Unfortunately, she would be left stranded on the basepaths.

Entering the seventh, ALC needed three outs to end the contest. Unfortunately, Kentucky Christian refused to cooperate. The red and black opened with a single and the runner swiftly stole second. The next batter than delivered another single in the gap, and this tied the score, 2-2.

The visitors had a chance to afflict more damage as they went ahead and placed runners on second and third with two away, but the next batter popped up to end their inning.

The Lady Eagles came up looking to break the tie, but the home team then went down in order, sending the contest into extra innings for the third consecutive game.

Unfortunately, in the eighth inning, the Grayson club kept the momentum on their side. With two away, and a runner on first, she would steal both second and third. Then, after a walk and hit batter, the bases were loaded. The next batter then singled to drive in a pair of teammates and make the score 4-2. Although the next Knight grounded out to end the inning, the blue and white had their work cut out for them.

Down to their final opportunity, the first pair of Lady Eagles flied out. Then Brooke Baker (SS) and Chloe Taylor (2B) offered some hope when both came through with clutch singles. Disappointingly, with two on and two away, a deep fly ball to centerfield was a little too short, and KCU was able to snag it to secure the victory.

At the plate, Rakes, Baker and Orfield all delivered 2 hits while Orfield and Rife provided 1 RBI apiece.

On the mound, Rife started and went 7.2 innings. She allowed 9 hits and 4 earned runs while walking 2.

She was relieved by Kinna Justice who faced the final batter and recorded the out.

The Lady Eagles had more hits (11-9) and saw KCU commit the lone error of the match. Unfortunately, they simply came up one hit too short when they most needed it.

Alice Lloyd will now be forced to wait until next week to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCCAA Softball World Series, scheduled for May 18-20 in Grapevine, Texas.