Pippa Passes, KY. – The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team concluded their season in the Mideast Regional Tournament held on May 6th. The best-of-three tournament was hosted by the Lady Eagles and featured the top-seeded Kentucky Christian University Lady Knights and second-seeded ALC.
May 6
Game One
KCU – 5 | ALC – 2
Alice Lloyd battled until the end before dropping the opener.
KCU opened with a bang. Summer Collins led off with a triple and was then driven in on a single from Katerina Anthony. The Lady Knights would load the bases with only one out and were poised to inflict some serious damage, but pitcher Mckenzie Brewer was able to work her way out of the inning with no more runs allowed.
The score remained the same as the contest entered the bottom of the third. Knight’s pitcher Lora Thompson was in command as she struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced.
KCU scored two in the second. After a bunt single, Gracie Robinson smashed a homer to center field (3-0).
The home club would then begin to cut into the deficit and provide some drama in the fifth. First, Abby Stambaugh led off with a hit which she stretched it into a double following a daring run. She then advanced to third on a bunt and later scored, following Madison Gaines fielder’s choice.
The Lady Eagles would eventually place runners on second and third with two outs. Leading hitter Jada Estep would smash a drive to right center, but KCU’s outfielder made a great catch to save two runs and end the inning (3-1).
In the sixth, the Knights added two critical runs. After a leadoff single, Taylor Coleman rapped a home run of her own to make the score 5-1.
Down to their last chance, ALC kept fighting. Brewer drew a walk and then Madison Gaines was hit by a pitch. After a fly out, Alexis Napier punched a single up the middle to drive in one run. (5-2).
Unfortunately for the home fans, with the tying run at the plate and only one out, Thompson settled down and struck out the next batter before ending the game on a pop-up.
For ALC, Stambaugh, Napier, and Buchanan provided the squads three hits while Gaines and Napier had RBI’s. KCU had 10 hits on the day.
On the mound, Thompson went the distance for the win. She allowed 3 hits and struck out 11 batters.
For Alice Lloyd, Brewer allowed 10 hits and 5 earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. She also whiffed 5 batters. Mercedez Gilliam came on in relief to retire the final two batters.
Game Two
KCU – 10 | ALC – 3
Alice Lloyd struck first before the Knights roared back in the middle innings to earn the second victory.
In game two, the first inning saw Lady Eagle Jada Estep single and later score on a Mercedez Gilliam hit. However, with two runners on and a chance to add some more scores, the rally ended.
Nothing changed until the fifth when KCU made their move. They would use 4 hits and 1 error to produce 5 big runs and jump ahead 5-1.
One inning later, the visitors would add two insurance runs when Jade Spurlock followed up a single with a blast over the fence to give her club a 7-1 advantage.
Abby Stambaugh cracked a double in the fifth for the home team but was left stranded on the bag.
Nothing changed until the seventh when the Knights used three singles to plate 2 more runs (10-1).
Down to their last at-bat, Alice Lloyd saw Stambaugh and Lydia McIntosh open with singles. Later, with two outs, a glimmer of hope opened when Alexis Napier drove in both runs. However, it quickly died when a pop up ended the contest.
Stambaugh led the way with 2 hits, including her double, while Napier’s 2 RBI’s paced the squad in that department.
For the victors, Taylor Coleman went the distance, allowing 7 hits. ALC used two pitchers on the day. Haley Howell went 4 innings, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) and 9 hits. Gilliam went the final three, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs.
The victors won the hitting battle 15-7.
Despite the season coming to its conclusion, Alice Lloyd set a school record this year with 12 wins. Coach Nathan Hall returns the bulk of his team next season, so he definitely anticipates a bright future for these ladies.