After experiencing a multitude of cancelled games due to extremely wet field conditions, the 2019 edition of the NCCAA Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team was finally able to open up season play. Under the guidance of veteran coach Scott Cornett, they took to the road for a two-day doubleheader.
On Tuesday, February 26th, they traveled to Cincinnati (OH) to face NAIA opponents Cincinnati Christian University (OH) and Taylor University (IN). The next day, they journeyed to Frankfort (KY) to play NCAA DII Kentucky State University. Following are recaps of each contest.
February 26th
GAME 1
Alice Lloyd: 1 – CCU: 0
Alice Lloyd opened the season on a positive note as they emerged victorious in a pitcher’s duel.
Neither offense was able to get on track for the first three innings as the pitching was steady.
Finally, in the fourth inning, ALC broke through. First, sophomore Mason Schroeder reached base after drawing a walk. Next, junior Chance Cornett smashed a double to bring in the first run of the game. That was all the runs the Eagles pitchers would need.
Cornett pitched Alice Lloyd to victory. He went four and a third innings, allowing two hits and zero runs while striking out six.
Sophomore Adam Carnahan threw the final three innings in relief, as he recorded the last nine outs to earn the save.
Ryan Weber took the hard-luck loss for Cincinnati Christian University. He went two innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits and walking one.
CCU outhit the Eagles 6 to 1 but still came up short.
GAME 2
Alice Lloyd – 2 | Taylor University – 11
In game two, the Indiana squad pulled away to earn the victory.
Taylor scored 1 in the opening inning, but the Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning and tied things on a hit batter.
Things turned sour for ALC in the third. A crucial error led to 2 runs scoring and TU would add 3 more in the same inning.
Trailing 6-1, ALC earned 1 run back in the fifth when senior Hayden Martin drove in a run with a big double.
Unfortunately, the rally fizzled and Taylor would put the contest out of reach with 5 more insurance runs.
Andrew Kennedy was the winning pitcher for Taylor University. He lasted two innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out one and walking zero.
Jaycob Banks took the loss for Alice Lloyd. He went two and two-thirds innings, allowing six runs on five hits and striking out five.
Martin led the Eagles with 2 hits, while sophomore Dalton Cornett smashed a double. Sophomores Wes Hager and Ethan Osborne, along with freshman Chase Madden, added a single each.
Taylor University collected 11 hits to ALC’s 6.
February 27th
GAME 1
Alice Lloyd – 5 | KSU – 11
The Eagles watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in an 11-5 loss on Wednesday.
Kentucky State University took the lead on a home run in the second inning and scored 5 more in the third.
Alice Lloyd notched three runs in the sixth inning as sophomore Dalton Cornett and freshmen Cannon Ferrell and Noah Dingess each drove in runs during the inning.
Brady Bibbs led KSU to victory on the pitcher’s mound. He lasted four and a third innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out five.
Freshman Layne McClure took the loss. He surrendered five runs on five hits over two and two-thirds innings.
Junior Chance Cornett and freshman Matt Brooks each collected two hits to lead the visitors.
ALC was outhit 11-5 as Kentucky State smacked four home runs on the day.
GAME 2
Alice Lloyd – 10 | KSU – 20
Kentucky State University jumped out early to defeat Alice Lloyd in a high-scoring affair.
KSU scored on a three-run home run in the opener and added to their lead the remainder of the way.
De’nayus Johnson was credited with the victory for Kentucky State. He surrendered eight runs on four hits over three and a third innings, striking out four.
Freshman Matt Brown took the loss for Alice Lloyd. He allowed 11 hits and 12 runs over three innings, striking out one.
Freshman Noah Dingess went 2-for-5 at the plate to lead the Eagles. Sophomore Dalton Cornett went yard in the third inning and added 2 RBI’s. He was joined by freshman Chase Madden and sophomore Adam Carnahan with 1 single and 2 RBI’s apiece. Sophomores Luis Carillo and Wes Hager both added singles to the cause.
The Eagles were outhit 17-7.