Impressive pitching performances propel Alice Lloyd softball to sweep at Bluefield State

Bluefield, VA:  The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team returned to the diamond on Friday, February 9th, journeying to the Monarch State to battle the NCAA DII Bluefield State University Big Blues in a two-game set. Fueled by an impressive pair of pitching performances, the Bluegrass battlers earned the huge sweep.

February 9th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-9; Bluefield State-5

The Kentucky ladies roared out to a big lead and made it stick enroute to the opening win.

After a scoreless first, ALC unloaded in the second inning. The scoring came courtesy of 4 well-placed singles and a couple of crucial errors from the Big Blues. This led to a windfall of 6 runs for the visitors (6-0).

In the third, the Pippa Passes posse would utilize 3 singles to increase their advantage, and plate two more scores (8-0).

Over the next two innings, BSU would dent the scoreboard. They scored 1 run in the fourth and 2 in the second to shrink the deficit to five (8-3).

 Maleigh McDaniel had controlled the mound for the visitors the entire game, and in the sixth, her single provided a needed insurance run (9-3). However, BS managed a couple of scores in the same inning, aided by an error (9-5).

Happily, for the visiting fans, the Eagle ace promptly retired the final three Big Blue batters to seal the hard-fought victory

McDaniel finished 3-3 from the plate with 2 RBI's. She showcased her complete all-around skills by swiping 2 bases as well.

Mckenzie Orfield (SS) and Ellie Keene (C), both batted well, contributing 2 hits apiece, while Rachael Rife (LF) also knocked in 2 runs.

 McDaniel was impressive on the mound as she went the distance to earn the win. She scattered 9 hits, allowing just 3 earned runs. She whiffed 3 batters and only allowed a single walk.

The victorious squad would take the hitting battle, 10-9. They also committed 3 errors, compared to the Bluefield cities 5.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 3; Bluefield State University-0

ALC pitcher Rylee Cox went the distance, tossing a 3 hit shutout, to lift Alice Lloyd to the impressive sweep.

Neither squad would score during the opening two innings, but the Caney Creek clubbers finally broke through in the third. In that inning, BSU would toss two wild pitches. Those miscues, coupled with the Eagles smacking a pair of timely singles, helped give the visitors a 3-0 advantage. This would provide Cox all the run support she needed.

The Pippa Passes pitcher tossed no-hit ball until the fifth when she finally allowed a single. However, no runs would score.

The only drama came in the final inning. In the bottom of the seventh, a two-out walk and consecutive singles loaded the bases. With the winning run now at bat for the Big Blues, the tiring Pippa Passes pitcher bared down and ended the contest by inducing a harmless grounder.

For the victors (3-3), who won the hitting battle 5-3, McDaniel, Orfield, Rife, Keene and Mackenzie Newport (RF) all delivered singles.

Ashley Wells (3B) provided the team's lone RBI while Orfield and McDaniel dominated the basepaths, stealing 4 and 3 stolen bases respectively.

On the mound, Cox was incredible, tossing a 3-hit shutout. She struck out 5 batters and only administered 2 walks.

The Eagles committed just 1 error, compared to Bluefield States 3.