Alice Lloyd Baseball drops high-scoring contest at University of Pikeville

Pikeville, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles (17-12) journeyed to Pikeville to battle the host UPike Bears (20-18) in a single game matchup. The home team used a huge third-inning explosion to take the day, 14-9.

Pikeville opened the game with a quick score on a double (1-0), but ALC answered in the second when Zach Morris (1B) homered to right to knot the score, 1-1. Unfortunately,  a pair of walks and single would allow UP to move ahead 2-1.

In the Eagle third, back-to-back singles, followed by a run producing single from Diego Rodriguez gave the Caney Creek crew a 3-2 lead.  However, the momentum was getting ready to shift in a major way.

In the bottom half of the inning, with two away, the Bears suddenly unleashed a triple, double, and 8 singles to go on a monster run. By the time the third out was finally recorded, 10 runs had crossed home plate. Now, the city club led 12-3.

The Caney Creek crew attempted to rally, scoring 2 runs in each the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. This including a long two-run homer in the sixth, courtesy of Jayden Huff (LF). Unfortunately, UPike would add a pair of insurance runs in the seventh, and take the day, 14-9.

At the plate, Carson Tate (3B) led the way with 3 hits while Gage Hensley (RF) Aaron Rothballer (DH), Rodriguez, and Morris, all rapped 2 hits. Huff, Morris, and Rodriguez led the way with 2 RBIs apiece.

Jacob Ayers started on the mound for ALC and was credited with the loss. He allowed 8 earned runs on 8 hits in 2.2 innings of work. He was relieved by Matthew Hebar (2.1 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs), Challen Massengill (1.2 innings, 1 hit, 2 earned runs, 1 K) and Trenton Williams  (1.1 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs).

The Eagles were outhit 14-12, and committed 2 errors.