Alice Lloyd Baseball ventures to Ohio Christian for three game series

Circleville, OH: On March 22^nd-23rd, the Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team journeyed to the Buckeye state to battle the Ohio Christian University Trailblazers in a three-game set. The hosts would play well and take a sweep to move their record to 8-18 (3-7 RSC). ALC's record now stands at 15-19 (2-8 RSC).

Game 1

OCU-12; ALC-5

The Trailblazers earned their first run of the game on a double in the third (1-0). They added another pair of runs in the fourth on two errors (3-0).

They would build on this in the fifth, as in that inning, a three-blast made the score 6-0.

The Pippa Passes posse finally dented the scoreboard in the sixth. They would slice the deficit in half with the big hit being a two-run single by third baseman Caleb Justice (6-3).

However, OCU would earn those right back in the bottom of the inning when a single, sacrifice fly and stolen base at home made the score 9-3.

The seventh gave the Caney Creek crew an opportunity when first baseman Aaron Rothballer walked in a run and Kyle Johnson (CF) singled in another (9-5). However, that rally would fizzle out.

The Ohio club would ice the contest over the final two innings as they scored three more runs with a sacrifice fly and single to make the score 12-5.

For the day, ALC recorded 8 hits, with Justice and TJay Mullins (LF) both rapping a pair. while Justice and Johnson each delivered 2 RBI's.

In the other dugout, OCU smacked 12 hits with a homer and double.

 On the mound, Dawson Beckett started and suffered the loss. He allowed 10 hits and 8 earned runs with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks.

In relief, Chase Conley, JT Griswold, Cain Flynn and Karsten Dixon tossed the final three innings, combining for 3 hits and 3 earned runs while adding 3 more strikeouts.

ALC had 2 errors while OCU made 3.

Game 2

OCU-15; ALC-3

A disastrous first inning by the Kentucky squad propelled the hosts to the victory.

In that huge first inning, six singles and a double delivered a multitude of runs for the Trailblazers as fifteen men batted. By the time they finally registered their third out, 11 runs had crossed the plate (11-0).

The Buckeye squad then stuck once more in the second when they turned a double, single, wild pitch and sacrifice fly into four more scores. After just two innings of play, Ohio Christian led 15-0.

ALC would respond by scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings.

In the fourth, Ryan Cozart (2B) singled in a teammate (15-1). In the sixth, with the bases loaded, Joey Johnson (RF) was hit by a pitch to plate a runner (15-2). The Caney Creek club still had the opportunity to inflict some serious damage, but a long pop up and double-play grounder ended the threat.

Finally, in the seventh, a pair of singles from Nathan Garcia (C) and Jacob Lovell (2B) brought one Eagle home (15-3), but that would be all they could get as the contest ended on a long fly to center.

For the day, ALC recorded 12 hits compared to OCU's 16. Cozart, J. Johnson, Carson Tate (SS) and Beckett all provided 2 hits apiece while Cozart, J. Johnson and K. Johnson each drove in 1 run.

Gibbs Cochran had a rough day on the mound, as he faced 8 batters and allowed 5 hits and 8 runs. Trenton Williams faced 16 batters, allowing 8 hits and 7 earned runs. Cain Flynn went the final 4 innings and only scattered 3 hits with no runs. He struck out 5 of the 16 men he faced.

Both clubs committed 1 error.

Game 3

OCU-16; ALC-2

The Ohio club controlled the pitchers' mound once again to close the series with a sweep.

 The Buckeye school struck swiftly with single in the second to get on the board (1-0). The second would be their breakout inning.

In that inning, the Trailblazers smacked a pair of doubles and triad of singles to plate six big runs. Their lead grew to 7-0.

In their very next at-bat, OCU added to that, delivering a single to bring in a pair of runners (9-0). Then in the fifth, a pair of singles, error, and hit batsman helped to ring up a 5-spot. The lead had now grown to 14-0.

The final pair of Trailblazer runs would score in the sixth, driven home courtesy of two more singles (16-0).

ALC would manage to avoid the shutout. In their final at-bat in the seventh, shortstop Isaiah Kelly would be hit by a pitch. He then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, then raced home on Mullins long sacrifice-fly ball.  The next batter would fly out to end the day.

For the contest, ALC recorded 6 hits, with J. Johnson earning half of those. Mullins provided the lone RBI.

On the mound, Jacob Ayers started and lasted 2.2 innings. He allowed 8 hits and 7 earned runs. He was followed by Conley, who gave up 5 hits and 7 runs in 1.2 innings of work. Sunny Smith threw the final inning, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs in 1.2 innings. The three combined to walk 7 and KO 3.

Each team committed 1 error.