Alice Lloyd Baseball splits with Wilberforce University

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team (14- 6) returned home to face the Wilberforce University Ohio Bulldogs (5-21) in a two-game set. The two clubs would battle to a split in the series.

March 25th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-5; Wilberforce-8

The Eagles led early, but the fifth inning proved costly.

The hosts scored first when, after the first two batters went down in order, a trio of singles loaded the bases. A Bulldog error allowed 1 run to score (1-0), but with the bases still loaded, the next Eagle batter struck out to end the inning.

The Bulldogs answered back in the second when a single and double would lead to 3 runs (3-1).

The Pippa Passes posse did damage of their own in the third. After a walk and single from Eric Lasso (3B)  placed two on base, Aaron Rothballer (DH) drove a pitch over the left-field fence to clear the bases, and boost the hometown club to a 4-3 advantage.

However, the Buckeye club would take over in the fifth. They would use a double, single, three walks, and an Eagle error to plate 5 big scores. Suddenly, WU led 8-4.

In the Caney Creek seventh, with two outs, Jayden Huff  (LF) doubled in a run (8-5), and then the Pippa Passes posse loaded the bases. Unfortunately, with two away, a strikeout ended the threat and handed the Ohio squad the win.

At the plate, Rothballer came up big with 3 hits and 3 RBIs. Lasso also added 2 hits to the cause.

On the mound, Gage Hensley suffered the loss. In seven innings, he allowed 8 hits and 6 earned runs with 7 strikeouts. 

ALC prevailed in hits, 10-8, and both clubs made 2 errors. 

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-7 ; Wilberforce-1

The Eagles rode a solid pitching effort and a big fifth inning to win going away.

The Ohio club jumped out of the gates quickly, using a pair of singles to deliver the first score, 1-0.

ALC answered in the bottom of the inning utilizing 3 singles, including run producers from Rothballer and Cole Bishop (C), to make the score 2-1. Pitching then dominated until the bottom of the fifth.

In that at-bat, ALC started great as a Diego Rodriguez (SS) triple, Carson Tate (2B) single, and Cory Jefferson (1B) double produced a pair of runs (4-1). From there, the Eagles used a pair of walks, 2 stolen bases, and a timely single from Kyle Johnson (CF) to add to their cushion. When the inning finally ended, the Caney Creek crew led 7-1.

Over the final two innings, Wilberforce would only manage a single hit, as the hosts slammed the door shut to gain a split on the day.

At the plate, Rodriguez and Jefferson paved the way with 2 hits apiece, while Johnson delivered 2 RBIs.

On the mound, Trenton Williams was on top of his game. After gaining a pair of hits in the first inning, the Bulldogs only managed 2 more the rest of the way. Williams went the distance, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run with 6 Ks. 

The hosts outhit their foes 10-4 and played error-free ball.