Alice Lloyd Softball splits with Pikeville University Bears

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team (15-11) returned to play on Thursday, March 27th, when they hosted the University of Pikeville Lady Bears (11-14) in a twin bill. The games were hard-fought, as the clubs split the series.  

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-7; UPike-3

The local ladies scored most of their runs early and made it stand up for the win.

The scoring started in the first when a triple and double gave the Bears a 2-0 lead. ALC immediately responded in the same inning.  Maleigh McDaniel (P) doubled in the first run (2-1). Later a Mckenzie Orfield (C) single and fielders choice delivered another pair. This gave the hosts a 3-2 advantage.

In the second, two nice singles enabled the visitors to knot the score at 3-3. Once again, ALC would answer.

In their half of the second, Katie Deeds (LF) and Rachel Rife (CF) both singled. Then, Orfield unloaded on a fastball and drove it over the left field fence. Now, the Caney Creek clubbers led 6-3.

In the fourth, the hosts added a little insurance, when consecutive singles from R. Rife and Orfield delivered another run to make it 7-3.

From there, UPike only spread out a pair of singles the rest of the way as the hosts chalked up the contest in the winner's column.

At the plate, Orfield came up big with 3 hits and 4 RBI, while R. Rife and McDaniel added a pair of hits to the cause.

On the mound, McDaniel went the distance, allowing only 6 hits and 1 earned run with 5 K's.

The victors led in hits (10-6) but did commit 3 errors.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 0; UPike-1 

The Bears made the one big play when they needed it to win in a pitcher's duel.

Through the first five innings, ALC managed 4 hits, but could not deliver the goods to bring in a score. At the same time, UPike only managed 1 hit against the solid arm of Arin Rife (P), which kept the game scoreless.

The game-changer happened in the sixth inning in Pikeville. With two away, Pikeville lined a shot down the line and looked to gain a triple. The Eagles looked to throw the runner out, but an inadvertent collision with the umpire caused the ball to go astray, delivering the first score, 1-0.

After that, over the final two innings, ALC went down in order to drop the tough, hard-luck decision. 

R. Rife, McDaniel, Muncy, Lauren Morris (C), and McKenzie Newport (RF) each singled for the home squad, but they fell just short when it mattered most.

On the mound, A. Rife deserved a much better fate. She allowed only 3 hits and 1 earned run in 7 innings while striking out a season-high 13 batters.