Chattanooga, TN: Even though the weather is cold and icy in Pippa Passes, the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team was able to open the 2021 softball season on February 10th. Coach Nathan Hall’s team journeyed south to warmer territory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they faced the Bluefield College Lady Rams in a doubleheader. When the dust had settled, the squads ended up splitting the twin-bill.
GAME 1
ALC-1; BLUEFIELD-0
The Lady Eagles only had one run, but that was enough for pitcher Haley Howell who went the distance with a masterful job.
The scoring occurred in the second inning. First, freshman Aspyn Branham started things off right by smacking a double. Next, senior Mckenzie Brewer advanced her to third when she stroked a single. Finally, freshman Baylee Cox drove in Branham with a sacrifice.
Although ALC was unable to drive in any more runs, Howell had received all the help she needed. The junior would go the distance allowing just 5 hits, all singles while striking out 3 and walking only 2.
At the plate, senior Samantha Sturgill went 2-4 with a double of her own and a single. She also stole 1 base.
The Lady Eagles outhit the Lady Rams 6-5 and had 1 error compared to Bluefield’s 2
GAME 2
ALC-4; BLUEFIELD-10
The Lady Eagles shot themselves in the foot as 7 costly errors were the deciding factor in Game 2.
BC scored 5 runs over the first three innings, but 4 of those were unearned.
The Lady Eagle got 2 of those back in the top of the fourth. Sophomores Lyndsey Adkins and Alexis Morris both rapped singles. Next, freshman Mackenzie Methax drove both runners in with a single of her own.
Unfortunately, in the bottom half of the inning, 2 key errors led to 4 big runs for the Rams. Now ALC trailed 9-2.
Once more, the Pippa Passes crew tried to answer. Singles from junior Abby Stambaugh, Sturgill, and Adkins led to 2 runs in the scoring column and reduced the deficit to 9-4. Unfortunately, BC then added 1 insurance run in their next at-bat and ALC was unable to cut into the lead the rest of the way.
At the plate, Alice Lloyd had 7 hits as Sturgill and Adkins both had 2 hits.
On the mound. Cox suffered the tough loss. She allowed 8 hits and 10 runs, but only 4 were earned. She also stuck out 6, while walking 3 batters.
Bluefield only outhit ALC 8 -7, but the errors by the Caney Crew were just too much to overcome. BC committed 1 error.
Weather permitting, the Lady Eagles return to action on Tuesday, February 16th, when they host the Asbury University Lady Eagles in a 1 pm doubleheader