ALC Lady Eagles softball continues impressive play, win two over Berea College

Pippa Passes, KY:  On March 13th, the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team played host to NCAA DIII foe, Berea College. An impressive performance on both sides of the diamond was just what the doctor ordered as ALC would earn the sweep to run their record to 12-6. The Lady Mountaineers record now sits at 1-7.

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-7; Berea-1

ALC would utilize an impressive pitching performance to take the opener.

The Lady Eagles struck quickly in the second when Audrey Mowell (RF) walked and stole second. She then scampered home on a double from first baseman Carlee Muncy (1-0). Muncy then raced home when Chloe Taylor (2B) laced a single to make the score 2-0.

The Pippa Passes posse would receive a triple form Maleigh McDaniel (P) in the third. She would then produce the run to make the score 3-0.

In the meantime, McDaniel dominated the mound as she allowed no Mountaineers to reach base during this time.

In the Eagle fifth, singles from Taylor and Aubree Laster (LF) eventually led to both scoring off of sacrifice flies (5-0).

Finally, BC used a single in the sixth to plate their first score (5-1). However, the Caney Creek Clubbers would provide two runs of their own in the same inning, courtesy of singles from Katie Deeds (C) and Shelby Gibson (DH), to take the contest 7-1.

For the hosts, who won the hitting battle 9-2, Taylor (3) and Laster (2) led in hits, while McDaniel delivered a pair of RBIs'.

On the mound, McDaniel was impressive, as she pitched a perfect game through four innings before being relieved. She struck out half of the twelve batters she faced. This brings her pitching record to 7-2.

Kinna Justice and Rylee Cox both were sharp in relief. Justice gave up just 2 hits and 1 run with 4 K's in two innings, while Cox pitched the final inning, striking out all 3 batters she faced.

The Eagles managed to steal 4 bases and only had 1 error. 

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 11; Berea-2

ALC fell behind early but roared back to win in five innings.

The Mountaineers jumped ahead right out of the gate, 1-0, and had the bases loaded with just one out. Fortunately, pitcher Kirsten Vice induced a double-play grounder to end the threat.

Rejuvenated by the big inning-ending play, ALC responded. McDaniel, playing shortstop this game, opened with a single and advanced to third on a double from Aspyn Branham (3B). Later, McDaniel daringly stole home for a run (1-1). Branham broke the tie when Taylor's single brought her home (2-1).

In the next inning, the home club used a double from Ellie Keene, plus a pair of well-placed bunts and two big steals to plate four runs. ALC now led 6-1.

In the third, the lead was increased when Mackinzie Newport (LF) and Alexandrea Hall (RF) sandwiched singles around their teammates' stolen bases to deliver two more scores (8-1).

 One inning later, BC added to their total when a double brought in a run (8-2) with no outs. Once again, the Lady Eagles would buckle down on the mound to end the rally.

The Pippa Passes posse then added to their lead by utilizing a pair of singles and a nice triple from Deeds to run the score to 11-2.

In their final at-bat, the Central Kentucky club loaded the bases with only one out and began to get their hopes up. However, two consecutive ground balls squashed the threat and handed the home fans the victory they craved.

For the hosts, who took the hitting battle 11-7, McDaniel's 2 hits led the way, while Mckenzie Orfield (C) achieved a pair of RBIs'.

 On the mound, Vice allowed just 1 run and 4 hits in two innings while whiffing 2 with 0 walks. 

The final three innings saw Carly Creech, Katie Samuel, Isabella Marvel, and Orfield combine to only give up just 3 hits and 1 more run in sealing the deal.

The Eagles, who lead the NAIA in stolen bases, showed why, as they swiped 8 this game, with McDaniel providing 3. Each squad committed 1 error.