Alice Lloyd softball unleashes at the plate, sweeps NCAA DII Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (10-8) ventured to the Tar Heel State to battle NCAA DII Johnson C. Smith University (1-5). The Bluegrass ladies would swing a big bat and take down the Golden Bulls in an impressive sweep.
March 14th
Game 1
Alice Lloyd-9: JCSU-3
Senior pitcher Maleigh McDaniel (P) would toss a dominate 2-hitter, and her squad would club the ball hard to take the opener.
In the first inning, ALC would lace 4 singles, including a run-producer from Ellie Keene (C) to race ahead, 3-0.
The Golden Bulls would gain a run back in the bottom half, gifted by an error from the visitors. However, the Caney Creek clubbers made amends in the second when a pair of JCS errors and solid double from McDaniel paid dividends, making the score 6-1.
They were at it again in the fifth when a pair of singles, plus a double from Chloe Taylor (2B) produced another trio of runs. Now the Kentucky squad led 9-1. JC Smith used a fielders choice and sacrifice fly in the same inning to produce 2 runs (9-3), but McDaniel would not allow a hit in the final two innings, as Alice Lloyd slammed the door shut on the victory.
At the plate, ALC saw Mackinzie Newport (CF) smack 3 hits while Carly Muncy (1B) and Mckenzie Orfield (3B) both added 2 hits. Keene produced a pair of RBIs.
McDaniel earned the pitching victory, allowing just 1 earned run on 2 hits with 7 stikeouts in a dominate performance.
The Eagles took the hitting contest, 13-2 which helped overcome 4 errors.
GAME 2
Alice Lloyd- 11; JCSU-3
The Lady Eagles carried a big bat at the plate, scoring in every inning, while pitcher Arin Rife would dominate after the first inning, in propelling ALC to the nice sweep.
In the first inning, four singles, plus a double from A. Rife led to 3 nice scores, 3-0. However, the Golden Bulls answered right back, rapping 6 singles to knot the contest at 3-3.
In the second, Rachel Rife (LF) and A. Rife hit matching doubles that led to a pair of runs. ALC now led, 5-3.
In the very next inning, Kirsten Vice (DH) joined the double fraternity as her hit delivered another score, 6-3. Then, the Bluegrass bombers followed that up in the fourth when a trio of hits, including a triple from R. Rife and a double from Orfield, sent 3 more runners across home plate. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 9-3.
In the fifth, Taylor and Orfield's doubles would gain another score (10-3). Finally, in the sixth, , Lauren Morris (C) would tire of seeing doubles and promptly belted a fast ball over the left field fence for a homerun. This set the final score at 11-3.
At the plate, the Rife sisters, Orfield, and Morris would all whack 3 hits while A. Rife (3), Keene (2) and Morris (2) paved the way in RBIs.
A. Rife earned the pitching victory. In five innings, she gave up only 3 earned runs and whiffed 8 batters. She only permitted 2 singles after the first inning. Shana Ray tossed the final inning and was very sharp, retiring the side in order with 2 strike-outs.
The blue and white won the hitting war, 15-8, and played an error-free game. They also walloped the cover off the ball, collecting 7 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 homer.