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, Dawson Beckett, Lucas Combs, Cory Jefferson, and Caleb Justice. 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.