ALC Eagles Baseball Wins Twice in Smoky Mountain Classic

Kodak, TN: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team ventured to the Volunteer State to participate in the Smoky Mountain Classic, played at Smokies Stadium. This is the home field of the Tennessee Smokies, who are an AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

On March 4^th, the Eagles faced Trinity Christian University (IL) while Grace Christian (MI) provided the competition one day later. The Eagles would put together two solid efforts and earn the sweep to run their record to 9-10 

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-3; TCU-1

In the first contest, the Eagles won in a battle of solid pitching.

In the very first inning, TCU stuck when they utilized a double to drive in a score (1-0).

ALC earned that run back in the bottom half of the inning when a fielder's choice helped knot the contest at 1-1.

In the bottom of the third, singles from Kyle Johnson (CF) and Thomas Mullins (LF) placed two-runners on base. Next, Aaron Rothballer (DH) promptly lined a single to deliver both men across home plate. Alice Lloyd now had a 3-1 advantage.

That would be the only run production the Bluegrass boys would need. On the mound, Tyler Brammer started and went 4.1 innings. He only gave up 3 hits and 1 earned run while whiffing 4 batters. This earned him the victory.

Matthew Hebar came on to take the save. He tossed the final 2.2 innings and kept up the steady mound-work. He only gave up 1 hit, struck out 1 batter and allowed 0 runs to score

Cory Jefferson (2B) had the fourth Eagle hit on the day while Rothballer delivered 2 RBI's.

Both squads registered just 4 hits on the day and stole 1 base. Trinity committed the lone error. 

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-11; GCU-8

In this contest, the Eagles came back in the final two innings to earn the victory.

GC stuck swiftly in the first inning as they plated three big scores (3-0). However, ALC answered right back with three of their own to knot the score at 3-3.

In the very next inning, Grace would put up another three-spot (6-3). They then smacked a two-run homer in the fourth. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 8-3, in favor of the Michigan club.

Alice Lloyd answered in the fifth, riding a string of doubles to push five huge runs across the plate. Now the score was tied at 8-8.

Then, in the bottom of the sixth, another run of double brought three more Eagles safely home. Just like that, the Pippa Passes posse led 11-8.

In the final inning, ALC pitching slammed the door shut, and preserved the impressive come-from-behind-victory.

The Eagles registered 12 hits for the game with Carson Tate (SS) delivering a trio of hits, including 2 doubles. Mullins, Anthony Bailey (CF), and Jake Lovell (C) each smacked 2 hits. Lovell also came up with 4 important RBI's.

On the mound, Lucas Combs started and was relieved by Cain Flynn. They allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs, and 2 hits and 2 earned runs respectively. Both struck out a pair of batters

Chase Conley pitched the final three innings and took the win. He gave up just 3 hits with 0 runs. He also stuck out 5 batters.

The victors won in hits (12-10), including 6 doubles. They were fortunate to overcome 4 early errors.