Alice Lloyd Baseball drops conference series to defending champion, Midway University

Midway, Ky: On March 2^nd-3rd the Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team journeyed to central Kentucky to battle the defending River States Conference baseball champions, the Midway University Eagles. The hosts would wind up taking the series in a sweep. 

Game 1

Midway-10; ALC-6

In the very first inning, ALC would strike first, as an error permitted a runner to cross base (1-0). However, the hosts utilized a trio of singles in the second inning to post three runs and move ahead (3-1).

Two innings later, another single would lead to a pair of Midway Eagles streaking across home (5-1). They then added an extra run in the fifth, courtesy of an error by the visitors (6-1).

Things remained the same until the MU eighth, when a big double was the catalyst for four Midway scores. The hosts now led (10-1).

Down to their final-at-bat, Alice Lloyd unleashed an impressive rally. TJay Mullins (LF) singled in a score, which was then followed by a two-run double from first baseman Dawson Beckett. (10-3) Later, when Cole Bishop (C) drove a fast ball over the rightfield fence, the deficit was four, 10-6.

Unfortunately, Midway would manage to gain the final outs and close the book on the win.

For the day, ALC recorded 10 hits with Mullins knocking a single and double. Bishop and Beckett both provided 2 RBI's.

 On the mound, Midway pitching stuck out 12 visiting Eagles, while for the visitors, Jacob Ayers started and lasted four innings. He allowed 8 hits and 5 earned runs.

In addition, Chase Conley, JT Griswold, Trenton Williams, and Tyler Brammer all appeared in relief.

The victors (5-1) won the close hitting battle, 12-10, and committed one-less error (3-2).  

Game 2

Midway- 10; ALC-0

Midway started and ended the contest with big innings, to take game two.

Midway opened their side of the first inning by using a single and pair of ALC errors to plate a trio of scores (3-0).

In both the sixth and seventh innings, MU would rap singles to bring in scores. Heading into the eighth, Alice Lloyd trailed 5-0.

After a scoreless top half of inning eight, the hosts put the contest away. After two men reached base, a three-run blast cleared the bases (8-0).

The next Midway batter struck out, but that was followed by a shot over the left field wall for a 9-0 advantage. Then, incredibly, the next batter followed suit with a blast of his own, to end the contest at 10-0.

For the day, ALC recorded 6 hits compared to Midway's 10. Carson Tate (2B) and Cory Jefferson (SS) accounted for 2 hits apiece.

 On the mound for the Caney Creek crew, Beckett started and went six innings. He permitted just 5 hits and 2 earned runs with 4 K's.

 Conley, Griswold and Joey Johnson all threw in relief, allowing 6 hits, 6 earned runs and 2 whiffs between them.

The victors committed two-less errors (3-1) and recorded 10 strikeouts.

Game 3

Midway- 19; ALC-7

Midway broke a close game wide open with a massive sixth inning to achieve the sweep.

Alice Lloyd struck first as Aaron Rothballer (DH) drove a fast ball over the center field fence for the game's opening score (1-0).

Things looked even better in the very next inning when a Wyatt Hobgood (C) single brought in Ryan Cozart (3B). Now, ALC led 2-0.

The hosts would slice that in half in the bottom of the inning with a run-producing single (2-1). They were just getting started.

In the third, a bases loaded double scored a trio of runs (4-2). Then, after a wild pitch plated a fifth runner, Midway uncorked back-to back homers to vault ahead, 7-2.

The Pippa Passes crew fought back. In the fifth, a Jefferson double led to a pair of scores (7-4). Then in the top of the sixth, a Mullins single and fielder's choice helped slice the score to 7-6.

With the momentum in ALC's favor, Midway suddenly flipped the script, and opened the floodgates. The host Eagles would uncork 6 singles and a pair of doubles to score swiftly and often. By the time they finally registered their third out, twelve runners had crossed home. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 19-6.

In the seventh, the eastern Kentucky boys would gain a single score when a fielders choice delivered the runner from third (19-7). However, there would be no rally on this date as Midway earned the sweep.

For the day, ALC recorded 11 hits compared to Midway's 17. Cozart pounded 3 hits while Mullins and Jefferson both had 2 hits. Jefferson had 2 RBI's.

On the mound for the Caney Creek crew, Gibbs Cochran took the mound and lasted 3.2 innings. He gave up 8 hits and 6 earned runs with 2 strikeouts.

Cain Flynn, Jake Sears, Sunny Smith and Karsten Dixon appeared in relief, giving up 9 hits. The victors committed one-less error (2-1) and recorded 10 strikeouts.

Alice Lloyd (7-10) returns to action on Monday, March 4th when they travel to Kodak, Tennessee for a contest with Trinity Christian (IL) at Smokies Stadium. host the Wright State Lake Lakers in a tripleheader. Game time is scheduled for 11:00 am.