Alice Lloyd softball falters at Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (12-10) returned to the diamond on March 19th to face the Bluefield College Rams (4-14) in a doubleheader. The Caney Creek crew had a tough day at the plate as they dropped both contests.

March 19th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-3; Bluefield-7

The visitors jumped ahead in their first at-bat. After a pair of walks placed two Lady Eagles on the basepaths, Ellie Keene (C) followed with a double to deliver both runners home and make the score 2-0. However, the hosts gained a run back in the same inning when an error aided in the score (2-1).

The bottom half of the third was big for the Rams team, as three singles, two doubles, and an error by the Bluegrass squad opened the doors for five big runs (6-2).

In the fourth, the Caney Creek crew loaded the bases with two outs, but unfortunately, a pop-up ended the threat. In the same inning, a trio of Bluefield singles plated another score to push their lead to five, 7-2.

In the fifth, ALC would load the bases once more with two away, and get a gift run on a walk, 7-3. However, with the bases still loaded, the next batter would strike out.

Unfortunately, in their final two innings, the visitors went down in order, delivering the win to the hometown squad.

At the plate, Keene and Carlee Muncy (1B) would provide the only hits for the Kentucky club, while Keene and Katie Deeds (DP) provided 2 and 1 RBI.

On the mound, Maleigh McDaniel went three innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts. She was relieved by Kirsten Vice for two innings. She gave up 3 hits and 1 run with 1 K. Kinna Justice entered the final inning and retired the side with a trio of groundouts.

Both clubs committed 2 errors on the day, but BC dominated the hitting battle, 11-2. The Lady Eagle left 10 runners on base and were walked 8 times, but could not capitalize. 

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 2; Bluefield-3 

The visiting club took an early lead but lost it in the final innings.

ALC scored in the third. Mckenzie Newport (RF) singled, then came around to score on a single from McDaniel (SS), 1-0.

However, BC returned the favor in the fourth as a long fly ball cleared the left field fence to knot the game at 1-1.

Then, in the fifth, the Rams promptly loaded the bases with no outs. The next two batters would whiff, but their Designated Player would lace a single down the left-field line to deliver a pair of scores. Suddenly, BC led, 3-1.

In the Eagle sixth, they would attempt to rally. Arin Rife (P) would single, then pinch-runner Deeds would later score on an error. Eventually, trailing 3-2 with runners on second and third, a hot grounder would be scooped up by the third baseman, ending the threat.

In the Eagle seventh, Rachel Rife (LF) would provide some hope with a two-out single. Unfortunately, a long fly-ball to center field would hand the hosts a sweep.

At the plate, ALC saw Newport, McDaniel, Mckenzie Orfield (3B), Lauren Morris (C), and the Rife sisters all single. McDaniel and Morris would provide the RBI's.

On the mound, A. Rife suffered the hard-luck loss, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 9 strikeouts. 

The Lady Eagles outhit Bluefield 6-3 but could not get the critical hit when they most needed it. They also committed less errors, 2-1.