Alice Lloyd hosts Ohio Christian in a four-game series on Senior Day

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team (15-9) played host to the Ohio Christian University Trailblazers (18-11) in a four-game series spread over two days. The series was also a chance to recognize the Eagle senior players. Unfortunately, after the last out had been recorded, the Buckeye squad would leave Kentucky with 3 wins

March 28th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-2; OCU-5

The Trailblazers jumped out quickly, then held on for the win.

OCU struck right out of the gate when they utilized a pair of doubles and trio of singles to plate 4 runs and lead, 4-0. ALC would chip into that in the same inning, as they knocked 3 singles, including a run-producer from Aaron Rothballer (DH), to slice into the deficit (4-1).

Things would remain identical until the top of the fourth. In that at-bat, OCU received a single, then placed that man on second with a critical Eagle error. Later, a ground ball brought that runner home (5-1).

The hosts were able to chip into that lead in the fifth on Kyle Johnson's (CF) big homerun to left field (5-2). However, that rally would quickly fizzle out.

The Caney Creek crew went into the final inning in need of runs. Hope was given when Zach Morris (PH) lined a single, but that hope quickly died when a strikeout ended the contest.

At the plate, Johnson came up with the big blast, but that was the only extra-base hit his club would register. Johnson and Rothballer provided the RBI's. 

On the mound, Matthew Hebar started and went the distance in the loss. He allowed 8 hits and 5 earned runs with 2 strikeouts.

ALC trailed in hits, 8-6, and hurt themselves with 2 important errors.

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-6; OCU-0

The Eagles got a superb pitching performance from Cain Flynn (P) and took the shutout.

The Caney Creek crew opened the scoring in the first. Diego Rodriguez (SS) doubled but was picked off attempting a steal. Later, Challen Massengill (RF) singled, and Rothballer singled as well to knock in a run (1-0).

The Pippa Passes posse did more damage in their next at-bat. With two-away, Colton Lovelace (3B) singled, then stole second. Then after Johnson walked, Rodriguez rapped a double to deliver both runners home (3-0).

Things remained the same until the lower half of the fifth. In that inning, Rodriquez singled, then later scored on an error (4-0). Rothballer promptly singled to bring in another score and place the Pippa Passes posse ahead, 5-0.

ALC would add their final run in the sixth after Grover Maynard (LF) singled and eventually delivered their sixth run on an error, 6-1. OCU then went down in order to end the day.

At the plate, Rodriguez was a perfect 4-4 while Rothballer went 2-4. Both hitters provided 2 RBI's. 

On the mound, Flynn started and was on top of his game. He tossed a complete game, 2-hit shutout with a pair of K's

ALC prevailed in hits, 10-2, and saw Ohio commit the games only 3 errors.

March 29th

Game 3

Alice Lloyd-4; OCU-5

The hosts fell behind in the mid-innings, then saw their rally fall just short, in dropping game 3.

The Bluegrass squad dented the scoreboard in the second. Cory Jefferson (1B) started things off with a double. Later, pinch-runner Mackinac Williams raced across the plate on Rothballer' s sacrifice fly (1-0). However, the Trailblazers would find an answer.

In the third, a critical homer to right field, plus a pair of doubles, allowed the Buckeye club to plate 4 big runs. Now, the visitors led 4-1.

Ohio added another score in the fourth when a single, error, and grounder led to the runner eventually stealing home. The scoreboard now showed 5-1.

In the ALC portion of the sixth inning, a flurry of singles from Johnson, Rodriguez, and Jefferson helped slice a pair of runs off the deficit, making the score, 5-3. They would get one last chance after OCU went out in the seventh.

Down to their last opportunity, the Caney crew saw Jayden Huff (LF) line a one-out double. He then trotted to third on a wild pitch. Next, Morris grounded out, but delivered the run (5-4). Then, Massengill was hit by a pitch, placing the tying run at first base. Johnson than smoked a liner to right field, but it was nabbed with a good defensive play, ending the contest.

At the plate, Rodriguez and Jefferson both had 2 hits. The duo was joined by Rothballer and Morris in the RBI department, all with 1.

On the mound, Dawson Beckett started, lasting 2.2 innings. He allowed 7 hits and 4 earned runs, with a pair of K's. He was relieved by Lovelace for the final 4.1 innings. He only gave up 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 6.

The visitors outhit the Eagles 12-7, and ALC hurt themselves with 2 costly errors.

Game 4

Alice Lloyd-2; OCU-13

The hosts jumped ahead first, but saw the Trailblazers take control mid-game to win going away.

The Bluegrass crew looked good in the third. Two-out singles from Johnson, Rodriguez, and Carson Tate (2B) paid dividends, lifting the hosts to a 2-0 advantage. However, the momentum would quickly change.

In the Ohio Christian fourth, 2 singles and 2 stolen bases helped them tie the score at 2-2. In their next inning, a double and 3 singles repeated that feat, giving them a 4-2 cushion.

Ohio Christian broke away in the sixth.  A pair of doubles and 3 singles proved fruitful, but 3 errors by Alice Lloyd opened the floodgates, producing 7 massive runs. Now, the Ohio team led 11-2.

Finally in the Trailblazer seventh, 5 more hits, with 2 doubles brought 2 more runs across the plate to set the score 13-2. Alice Lloyd's Nathan Garcia (PH) would swat a double, but he would go no further as the contest soon ended.

At the plate, Tate had 2 hits and was joined by Rodriguez with 1 RBI.

On the mound, Trenton Williams started, lasting 4 innings. He allowed 7 hits and 3 earned runs, with a pair of K's. He was relieved by Jacob Ayers (2 innings, 6 hits, 4 earned runs) and Lucas Combs (1 inning, 2 runs, 1K)

The visitors outhit the Eagles 18-7, and ALC was their own worst enemy with 4 errors.