Alice Lloyd Softball remains hot, sweep Ohio Christian University in the Buckeye state

Circleville, OH: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team (26-14) journeyed to the Buckeye State on April 30th to battle the homestanding Ohio Christian Lady Trailblazers (10-24) in a two-game series. After a pair of hard-fought matchups, the Bluegrass ladies would take both contests to win for the 10th time in their last 11 games.

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-5; OCU-3 (8 Innings)

ALC came through in the clutch to win the opener in extra-innings.

Pitching controled the match for the first portion of the day as neither club could get any offense going. Finally, the scoring started in the Trailblazer fourth when a pair of singles and Eagle error allowed a OCU runner to score (1-0).

The hosts added to that in the fifth as an error placed a runner on base, and she eventually would score on a single. Ohio now led 2-0.

In the sixth, the Caney Creek crew answered as Mckenzie Orfield (C) singled, then advanced to second on a walk. Next, Arin Rife (DP) lined a shot into the outfield to deliver her home and slice the deficit in half, 2-1. The scoreboard would remain the same entering the seventh.

In that Eagle at-bat, Carlee Muncy (1B) drew a walk, then was able to sprint all the way to third following an error by OCU. Then, a wild pitch enabled her to race home and knot the contest up at 2-2.

Ohio placed a pair of runners on base with just one out in the bottom of the inning, and looked to get the clutch hit to end the contest. Happily, Pippa Passes pitcher Maliegh McDaniel came through by forcing two straight pop-ups to send the game to extra-innings.

Now with new life, the Pippa Passes posse took advantage in the eighth as they drew three walks, received a pair of gift wild-pitches from the home team. These miscues, plus a ground ball, permitted a trio of runners to score. Suddenly, Alice Lloyd led 5-2.

In the bottom of the inning, after the first batter flied out, OCU produced three-consecutive singles to load the bases. Arin Rife than came to the mound to relieve the weary McDaniel, and she cooley induced a fly out to left. Rachel Rife (LF) quickly rifled the ball to second and picked the runner off for a double-play to hand the stunning victory to the Bluegrass bunch.

At the plate, Orfield and A. Rife had the only two Eagle hits on the day while A. Rife and Muncy each provided a RBI.

On the mound, McDaniel was solid in earning the win. She went 7.1 innings, allowing 8 hits with only 2 earned runs with 3 K's. A.Rife earned the save, inducing the final fly ball to secure the game

The home team actually led in hits, 8-2, but were their own worst nightmare by making 5 crucial errors, compared to ALC's 3.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd- 5; OCU-2

The Lady Eagle would combine big plays with solid pitching to earn the sweep.

In the opening inning,  OCU led off with a double and single to swiftly lead, 1-0. But, in inning three, the Kentucky kids would utilize three singles and a big McDaniel (SS) double to plate 2 runs, and pull ahead, 2-1. They followed that up in the very next inning by seeing R. Rife draw a two-out walk, then score on Orfield's double (3-1). Next, McDaniel came through again by smacking a single to deliver Orfield home, and make the score 4-1.

In the bottom of the inning, a pair of walks and single helped the Trailblazers reduce the deficit to two runs (4-2), but in the seventh, Alice Lloyd gained it back, aided by the Trailblazers.This happened when McDaniel reached base courtesy of an OCU error, then later moved to third. A wild pitch then gave her the chance to sprint home, and make the score 5-2.

Now down to their last opportunity, Ohio Christian place a runner on first with a walk, but the remaining batters went down harmlessly to send the blue and white back to Kentucky in a joyful mood.

At the plate, McDaniel and Orfield would each deliver 2 hits while McDaniel delivered 3 big RBI's.

On the mound, A. Rife went the distance to take the victory. She allowed only 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 4 batters. 

The home team was outhit, 7-4, but a 3-0 deficit in errors proved to be the difference-maker.