Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagle Softball Earns Conference Split at Carlow University

Pittsburgh, PA: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team returned to action on April 3^rd as they traveled to Pittsburgh, PA, to face the Carlow Lady Celtics. After the final out was recorded, ALC had taken the split to run their record to 8-18 (3-11 RSC). The Celtics sit at 7-19 (3-8 RSC).

April 3rd

GAME 1

Alice Lloyd-6; Carlow-5

The Lady Eagles led the entire way but were forced to hold on down the stretch to eke out the win.

The scoring started in the first when ALC's Ellie Keene (CF) singled, and later advanced to third. Daringly, she would then steal home for the first run (1-0). In the second, Baylee Cox (RF) singled. She would eventually score on Keene's single to right-center (2-0). In the third, the Caney Creek club struck again. It began when Alexis Morris (2B) drew a walk. She would soon advance to third as her mates loaded the bases. When Chloe Taylor (SS) drove a long fly to center for an out, Morris waltzed home for a 3-0 cushion. However, that would be the only score of the inning as they stranded runners on base.

Carlow managed to retaliate in the bottom of the inning when a long fly ball cleared the right field fence for two runs (3-2) to tighten the score. The Kentucky girls would make it up quickly, however. In the top of the fifth, Maleigh Mcdaniel (P) and Mckenzie Orfield (3B) each connected on singles. That brought Aspyn Branham (PH) to the plate. After patiently waiting for the pitch she wanted, she would proceed to crush a fastball over the center field wall for a 3-run homer. Now, the Pippa Passes posse led 6-2.

Nothing would change until the hosts came up for their final chance. Carlow broke through with a single to plate one (6-3). Later, they would load the bases, and look to inflict more damage. A clutch double drove in two more scores (6-5), and suddenly, CU was within a run with speedsters on second and third. They had two outs. Fortunately, for the Lady Eagles, the next batter hit a soft grounder to second that was quickly gobbled up for the third out, ensuring the victory.

At the plate, Keene, Mcdaniel, Orfield, Cox, and Rachel Rife (LF), all had two hits. Branham drove in 3 RBIs.

Maleigh Mcdaniel took the victory on the mound. She allowed 10 hits, but just 2 earned runs in 6.1 innings. She walked only 1 batter and whiffed 3. Kursten Napier tossed the final 0.2 innings. She gave up 3 hits and 3 runs, but preserved the win.

Both squads had 13 hits and committed 1 error.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 3, Carlow-14

 The Celtics stormed back in the second contest to take a split for the series.

ALC struck quickly in the first when Keene singled, then scored on Lyndsey Adkins (1B) single to left (1-0). However, the tide was getting ready to swiftly turn in Carlow's favor.

The hosts struck back with a big second inning. First, a single drove in the tying run (1-1), before an Eagle error broke it (2-1). Then, after loading the bases, Carlows McKenna Pierce promptly cleared them with a grand slam (6-1). In the very next Celtic inning, a 2-run blast and double helped produce five more scores. Now, the Pennsylvania squad led 11-1. They were not finished. CU picked up another trio of scores in the fourth when a single and double plated those runs (14-1). In the final opportunity for the Bluegrass squad, they would load the bases for Taylor, who stroked a single to right field to drive in two teammates (14-3). Unfortunately, it was too little too late, as the game ended shortly afterward.

At the plate, Keene, Morris, Taylor, Adkins, and Mackenzie Methax (PH) each registered a single. Taylor provided 2 RBI's and Adkins added 1.

On the mound, Cox tossed 2.1 innings, allowing 6 hits with 8 runs (3 earned). Haley Howell, Carly Creech, and Orfield all pitched in relief. Howe allowed 7 hits and 6 runs in 1 inning, while Creech and Orfield allowed 0 runs the remainder of the way.