Alice Lloyd softball wins four from Grace Christian Tigers

Pippa Passes:  The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team played home on February 21^st and 22nd as they faced the Grace Christian Tigers (MI) squad. Fueled by an impressive performance on both sides of the diamond, the Caney Creek crew would earn the convincing sweep, to run their record to 8-4. The Lady Tigers would drop to 0-4

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-9; GCU-0

ALC pitching would hold the Tigers to just 2 hits and win the opener in five innings.

In the opening inning, the hosts would plate 4 runs. The scores were fueled by triples from Mckenzie Orfield (SS) and Aspyn Branham (3B) (4-0).

In the Eagle second, a fielder's choice and error plated a pair of runs (6-0). That was followed by singles from Maleigh McDaniel (P) and Ellie Keene (C) and a double from Branham. Those made the score 9-0.

From there, the hosts utilized a solid pitching effort to keep the Tigers in check until the final out was recorded.

The Kentucky squad would win the hitting battle, 9-2. Orfield and Branham smacked 3 and 2 hits respectively while Branham knocked in 2 runs.

McDaniel was impressive on the mound as she scattered 2 hits over 3 innings to take the win. She whiffed 2 and allowed no walks.

She was relieved by Carly Creech and Kinna Justice who closed the contest by allowing no hits over the final two innings.

The victorious squad would help themselves by stealing 5 bases and committing 2 errors compared to Grace's 4.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 11; GCU-3

ALC jumped ahead from the beginning to take the second contest in five innings.

The hosts started out great utilizing singles from Branham and Carlee Muncy (1B) to bring in 3 runs (3-0).

They followed that up in their next at bat with 4 runs, aided by several errors from GCU, a pair of sacrifice flies, and a stolen base at home plate from Katie Deeds (7-0). Deeds then drove in a run in the third inning with a double (8-0).

In the fourth, Grace had their best inning as they produced 3 runs on two singles (8-3), However, ALC would earn those right back in the bottom half of the inning.

In their fourth, Orfield stole home for a score, then watched a wild pitch and Branham double deliver the final runs of the contest (11-3).

For the hosts, who won the hitting battle 8-3, Branham led the squad with 2 hits and 2RBI's.

On the mound Kirsten Vice pitched the opening two innings and impressed, striking out five of the six batters she faced. Rylee Cox relieved and allowed 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings. Samuel and Isabella Marvel also appeared allowing 1 and 0 hits respectively.

The Eagles committed 1error, compared to GCU's 7. They also swiped 8 bases, 3 by McDaniel.

Game 3

Alice Lloyd-13; GCU-2

ALC hitting remained solid as they took the third contest in five innings.

In the opening inning, the hosts would score 2 runs with Rife's blast over the center field wall providing the fuel (2-0).

 Grace sliced the deficit in half in the second, aided by an Eagle error (2-1), only to watch the home club unload in their half of the inning, with assistance from the Michigan crew. In that at-bat, two GCU errors, combined with a solid hit by Muncy, put 5 big runs on the scoreboard (7-1).

In the next ALC at-bat, Rife rapped a double to bring home a teammate (8-1). Alice Lloyd then left no doubts in the fourth as they uncorked a pair of singles and a Muncy double to gain 5 clutch runs (13-1).

Down to their last chance, the Tigers earned a single run in the seventh (13-2) before going away for good.

The Kentucky squad would win the hitting battle, 12-5 with Muncy (3 hits) and Rife (2 hits) paving the way. Muncy also drove in 4 runs.

McDaniel was impressive on the mound as she scattered 2 hits over 2 innings to take the win. She whiffed 2 and allowed no walks.

She was relieved by Kinna Justice and Carly Creech, who closed the contest by combining for 3 hits and 4 whiffs over the final three innings.

The victorious squad would help themselves by stealing 6 bases and committing just 2 errors compared to Grace's 6 errors.

GAME 4

Alice Lloyd- 16; GCU-2

ALC produced their biggest run total of the entire series as they earned the satisfying sweep in five innings.

This contest would never be in doubt as the hosts raced out of the dugout with a huge 7 run first inning. The onslaught was fueled by a pair of singles and a Orfield double (7-0).

The second inning saw the Pippa Passes posse add a solo run on a Branham blast over the center field fence (8-0)

In the third, Grace had their best moment as they produced 2 runs on two singles (8-2), However, ALC would earn those right back in the bottom half of the inning as a McDaniel double made the runs back (10-2).

If GCU had any hopes of a massive comeback, they were dashed by Alice Lloyd in the fourth. In that inning, a trio of Tiger errors and a double from Ashley Wells (SS) led to a 6-run windfall. The hometown ladies now led 16-2, and that would wind up being the final score.

For the hosts, who won the hitting battle 11-2, Rife had a pair of hits, while Orfield and Keene each batted in 2 runs.

On the mound Kirsten Vice pitched the opening two innings and had her second huge outing, striking out 3 of the 6 batters she faced. Marvel also appeared, allowing a pair of runs. Cox and Samuel each tossed one inning of perfect ball with 0 hits and 3 K's,

The Eagles committed 3 errors and swiped 4 bases, with Rife collecting 3 of those. GCU's 8 errors were to much for them to overcome.