ALC Lady Eagles softball earns split with Point Park University

Pippa Passes, KY:  On March 11th, the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team played host to the Point Park University Pioneers in River States Conference action. When the dust settled, the Caney Creek crew had earned a split with their Pennsylvania counterparts. ALC's record now sits at 10-6 (1-1 RSC), while PPU now stands at 5-5 (1-1 RSC).

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-7; Point Park-3

ALC would jump out to a solid lead and ride that to the finish line.

The Lady Eagles struck quickly when McKenzie Orfield (SS) doubled. She would then score when Aspyn Branham (3B) followed with a double of her own (1-0).

PPU knotted the score in the second when a single delivered a run (1-1). The Lady Eagles would strike back in the third.

In the big third, the Pippa Passes posse would receive a single from Rachel Rife (LF), who then stole a base. Orfield then singled her home (2-1) and stole second as well. Next, Kirsten Vice (DH) drew a walk. Later, with two outs, and two runners on base, catcher Ellie Keene drove in the scores (4-1) with another single and promptly swiped second herself. Finally, Audrey Mowell (RF) laced a single to deliver the final run (5-1).

The Lady Eagles would add to the lead in the very next inning when Branham would smoke a hard ground ball that led to an error after Rife and Orfield reached base yet again. This permitted both of her teammates to speed across home for a commanding 7-1 cushion.

The Lady Pioneers put a dent in the scoreboard in the fifth when a long fly ball error and a fielder's choice brought home a pair of runners (7-3). That rally would die out, and the Kentucky ladies would close out the game to slam the door shut.

For the hosts, who won the hitting battle 10-6, Orfield, Rife, Keene, and Maleigh McDaniel all stroked two hits, with Branham's 3 RBIs pacing the squad.

 On the mound, McDaniel was impressive, as she scattered just 6 hits with earned runs while only walking 1. She recorded 1 strikeout.

The Eagles won despite losing the error battle, 3-1. They managed to steal 6 bases, which proved most valuable to the final outcome 

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 2; Point Park-5

ALC fell behind early and was unable to come back in the final game.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The guests started out well as a single, and fielder's choice drove in a trio of scores (3-0).

In the same inning, the home club earned a pair of those back as a single from Branham, and a grounder from Vice delivered the runs (3-2).

Pitching then took control until inning number five. Finally, at that point, a long fly ball earned the Pennsylvania crew a score (4-2). They then followed that up in the sixth with a key score on a sacrifice bunt (5-2). Unfortunately for the hometown fans, this would end the scoring and hand the visitors the close win.

For the hosts, who were outhit 8-4, Orfield, Branham, McDaniel, and Keene would each produce a single, with Branham and Vice achieving RBIs.

 On the mound, Vice pitched well but still suffered the hard-luck defeat. She went the distance, scattering 8 hits and allowing just 1 earned run while whiffing 4.  She only walked a single batter.

The Eagles hurt themselves immensely by committing 3 errors. Also, one of the nation's leading squads in steals failed to register even one the entire game, and this also proved fatal.