Alice Lloyd Eagles softball earns commanding sweep at Berea College

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles (14-10) returned to action on March 25^th as they traveled to central Kentucky to face NCAA DIII opponent Berea College. The Eagles shined at both the plate and mound to sweep the homestanding Mountaineers (2-12).

 March 25th

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-14:  BC-1

The Lady Eagles exploded out of the gate on their way to a dominate opening victory.

In the first inning, ALC could not have asked for a better start as Rachel Rife (LF) opened with a double and Mckenzie Orfield (3B) followed with a towering shot over the centerfield wall for a 2-0 advantage. From there, an Ellie Keene (C) single, fielder's choice, and costly error by BC allowed a trio of Caney girls to race home. Now, the eastern Kentucky club led 5-0.

 The hosts got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, using 3 singles to score a run (5-1). However, with the bases loaded and two away, Alice Lloyd stopped the rally with a fly out.

 In the ALC second, a single from Maleigh McDaniel (P), a walk, and double slapped by Lauren Morris (SS) was good enough for 3 more scores. This lifted Alice Lloyd on top, 8-1. More would come in their next at bat.

 The game was ripped wide open in the third. In that inning, doubles from R. Rife and Carlee Muncy (1B) were sandwiched around a trio of singles. The Bluegrass bombers now held an insurmountable 14-0 cushion.

 Over the final two innings, BC managed a pair of singles, but could not produce any more scores as the visitors took the solid win.

 At the plate, ALC saw Orfield and Keene each deliver 2 hits. Morris' 3 RBIs led in that department.

McDaniel earned the pitching victory. In three innings, she allowed just 4 hits with 1 run and 1 strikeout. Kirsten Vice threw the final two innings, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 2 of her own.

The Eagles took the hitting contest 11-6 as well as committed fewer errors, 3-1.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 9; BC-1

The Lady Eagles showcased their outstanding pitching for the second straight game to earn the impressive sweep.

Neither club would score in the first inning, but the Pippa Passes posse took command in the second. Doubles from Muncy and Mackenzie Newport (LF) layered around 4 singles, led to a bounty of 6 runs to make the score 6-0.

Berea remained hitless until the fifth when a double brought in the first score for the hosts (6-1).

In the sixth, ALC answered, using 2 singles and a double from Arin Rife (P) to roll out 3 runs and lead 9-1. The Mountaineers then went down in order in their final at-bat to end the festivities.

At the plate, A. Rife and Keene both swatted 3 hits while Newport added 2. A. Rife and Muncy paved the way with 2 RBIs.

A. Rife earned the pitching victory. In five innings, she gave up only 1 earned run on 1 hit while striking out 5 batters. Kenna Justice pitched the final inning, retiring the side in order.

The Eagles won the hitting war, 11-1, and committed 1 error, compared to the Mounties with 2.