Bluefield, WV: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team journeyed to southern West Virginia on March 30th to face the home standing NCAA DII, Bluefield State Big Blues in a softball doubleheader. Following are recaps of each contest.
GAME 1
Alice Lloyd – 14 | Bluefield State – 13 | 8 Innings
The Eagles came from 5 runs down to take the opener in a thriller.
ALC started well as they produced 3 runs in the first inning. The trio was provided courtesy of Hannah Buchanan, who drove a fastball over the left field fence to drive in all of the runs.
The hosts would answer with 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. They would then add 4 more in the third. Suddenly, BSU led 8-3.
The visitors would begin their comeback in the fourth as they would score 2 runs. Alice Lloyd then pounded a big 6 spot in the sixth. The club batted through the order that inning as they rocked 3 doubles.
However, Bluefield would respond with 3 of their own in the bottom of the inning. Heading into the seventh, the score stood 11-11.
In the top of the seventh, Jada Estep led off with a deep triple off the wall. After Abby Stambaugh drew a walk, Alissa Clark connected for a double to drive in both runners. Now ALC led 13-11.
However, in the bottom of the inning, BSU would send the game to extra innings as they drove in 2 of their own and knotted the score.
In the eighth, the guests would respond. Morgan Robinson drew a walk. Later Alexis Napier came up with a clutch hit to drive her home and give ALC the lead, 14-13
In the bottom of the inning, the Big Blues would load the bases with nobody out, and things definitely were looking dire for the Eagles.
Incredibly, on the next pitch, ALC would get a double play ball with no runners scoring. The game then ended when pitcher Mercedez Gilliam gave up a ground ball that third baseman Buchanan dove to stop. Her throw to first beat the runner to end the contest and give the Alice Lloyd squad a satisfying victory.
For ALC, Mckenzie Brewer, Buchanan, and Clark played hugely. Brewer went 4-5 from the plate and scored 3 runs. Clark had 3 hits and drove in 5 runs while Buchanan added 3 hits and 3 RBI’s. Napier and Stambaugh both added 2 hits.
Brewer started the game on the mound and Gilliam came in to earn the victory for Alice Lloyd.
The hosts won the hitting battle, 24-17.
GAME 2
Alice Lloyd – 7 | Bluefield State – 15
The home team fought off a comeback attempt from the visitors and pulled away for the win.
BSU jumped out of the gates quickly as they produced 5 runs in the opening inning.
However, in the third Alice Lloyd began to chip away at the deficit, as they scored 4 runs to close the gap.
In the fourth, the Big Blues added 3 runs, only to watch the Lady Eagles earn 2 of those back in their next at-bat. After a home team run, the clubs entered the sixth with the Bluefield squad leading 9-6
ALC inched a little closer in the top if the sixth inning as they managed to produce another run. (9-7)
Unfortunately, the hometown club did not want to take any chances on another contest going extra innings. They would see the visitors make 4 errors, which would enable them to come through with 6 runs in their next at-bat to end the game and earn a split on the day.
Jada Estep and Clark led the way with 3 hits apiece while Clark added 2 RBI’s.
Lydia Mcintosh, Madison Gaines, Napier, Buchanan, and Stambaugh, all provided two hits to the cause.
On the mound, Haley Howell would suffer the loss.
BSU outhit Alice Lloyd 17-16.