Alice Lloyd Baseball concludes regular season by taking two of three at Wright State University-Lake
Celina, OH: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles (26-22) baseball team concluded the regular season on May 2nd-3rd as they traveled to the Buckeye State to play the Wright State University -Lake Dragons (15-19) in a three-game series. The Bluegrass boys would take the first two matchups before falling in a third-game nail-biter.
May 2nd
Game 1
Alice Lloyd-3; WSL-2 (9 Innings)
The visitors won the opener in a pitcher's duel.
The contest would remain scoreless until the the top of the fourth, when ALC managed to plate a score (1-0). They would then another run in the next inning to creep ahead, 2-0. Later, in the eighth, they repeated the same formula and pulled ahead, 3-0. The hits that led to these runs were singles from Kyle Johnson (CF) and Cory Jefferson (1B), plus a big double from Carson Tate (2B).
However, in the bottom of the ninth, the hosts attempted a rally. They would score a pair of runs to eat into the lead (3-2), and brought the winning run to the plate. Fortunately for the visitors, the rally would be snuffed out to hand the win to the Kentucky kids.
At the plate, Tate, Johnson, and Jefferson's hits were the only three of the game for the victors, with the J&J boys providing the RBI's.
On the mound, Cain Flynn took the win. He went 6 innings giving up just 2 hits and 0 runs with 4 strikeouts. Jacob Ayers went the next pair of innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs. Trent Williams pitched the ninth, allowing 1 hit and 0 runs with 1 K.
Wright prevailed in hits, 5-2, and both squads made 1 error. ALC won by getting the timely plays when needed.
May 3rd
Game 2
Alice Lloyd-8; WSL-3 (7 Innings)
The Eagles pulled away in the final inning for the win.
WSL opened the scoring in the first as they managed to gain a pair of runs and lead, 2-0.
In the ALC third, they would respond with a big 3-spot, and pull ahead, 3-2. However, a solo run the same inning from the Dragons knotted the contest at 3-3.
In the top of the sixth, the Caney Creek crew drove a man home to inch ahead, 4-3. They then came up big in the ninth as Cole Bishop (1B) blasted one over the fence to fuel a four-run burst. This gave his club an 8-3 advantage, and the road team made the score stand until the final out was recorded.
At the plate, Johnson went 3-4 with a pair of doubles. Bishop had a pair of hits including the big-bomb, while he and Eric Lasso (DH) each delivered 2 RBI's.
On the mound, Dawson Beckett earned the win with 6 solid innings. He gave up just 3 hits and 3 earned runs with 5 strikeouts. Matthew Hebar went the final inning, giving up 1 hit and whiffing a pair of Dragons.
The Eagles led in hits, 10-4, and committed fewer errors, 3-1.
Game 3
Alice Lloyd-11; WSL-3 (7 Innings)
The home team would win in a shootout to prevent the series sweep.
The third game would start great for Wright as they exploded out of the dugout with six huge runs to lead 6-0. Fortunately, in the next inning, ALC would come through with four of their own to eat into the deficit, 6-4.
The Bluegrass bombers would add solo runs in the third and fourth, and suddenly the contest was tied at 6-6., but WS-Lake answered with a 2-spot in the bottom half of the fourth to regain the advantage, 8-6.
Once again, ALC clawed back, gaining one in the fifth and two in the sixth to retake control, 9-8, just to see two Dragons touch home plate twice in the sixth to turn the tide yet again. Wright State now led 10-9 heading into the final inning.
In the seventh, Alice Lloyd refused to roll over, and they promptly scratched their way to a pair of runs, and a 11-10 advantage. The question now was, "could they hang on?"
Unfortunately, they could not. WSL came through in the clutch with a massive hit when they had to have it, and the Dragons scored a pair of runs to win, 12-11.
At the plate, Diego Rodriguez (SS) went 3-5 with a pair of doubles while Jeffereson added 2 more. Aaron Rothballer (DH) uncorked a 2-run blast to contribute 2 RBIs to the cause, and Grover Maynard (LF) added 2 more..
On the mound, Trent Williams started, but was knocked out of the contes in just 0.1 innings. He allowed 4 hits and 6 earned runs with 1strikeout. Gavin Hensley relieved and went 4.2 innings with fairly good success. He allowed 5 hits and 4 runs with 7 strikeouts. Matthew Hebar went the final 1.2 innings, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs while whiffing 1.
The clubs tied in hits, 12-12, and ALC committed fewer errors, 3-2.