Wilmore, KY: After losing last season due to COVID, and missing every scheduled game up to this point so far this season due to horrendous weather, the 2021 edition of the NCCAA Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team finally received a break in the forecast and was able to open season play.
On Wednesday, March 3rd, under the guidance of veteran coach Scott Cornett, the squad took to the road for a single contest against the highly-respected Asbury University Eagles. This was the 12th contest of the season for the hosts, while, incredibly, this was the first time the Caney Creek club had even been able to walk outside on a field this season.
March 3rd
Alice Lloyd-10; Asbury-11
Alice Lloyd opened like a team that hadn’t been outdoors once this year and looked very tight. They allowed seven runs in the first inning and three more in the second. Just like that, they found themselves down, 10-0.
In the top of the third inning, the visitors began to fight back as they used three well-placed doubles to plate 3 runs (3-10). They then did themselves even better in the fourth, as four walks were sandwiched among a double and single. This combination led to five big runs, and suddenly, the deficit was just two (8-10).
After Asbury answered with a run in the bottom of the inning (8-11), the score remained unchanged until the ninth and final inning.
Down to their last chance, the Pippa Passes club put on their rally caps. After a walk with one out, Tjay Mullins unloaded on a fastball and sent a line drive over the center-field wall. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 10-11, and dreams of a huge comeback seemed feasible.
Unfortunately, the next two batters went down on strikes, and AU felt fortunate to hold on for the win.
At the plate, first baseman Anthony Jarvis had a big day as he went 3-4 with 4RBI’s and one double. Third baseman Alex White was impressive, going 2-3 with 2 doubles. Catcher Dalton Cornett and center fielder Cannon Ferrell both smacked doubles as well.
Six pitchers took to the mound for the guests. Peyton Branham suffered the loss as the starter.
The visitors played one-error ball but left sixteen runners on base. The host Eagles outhit the Pippa Passes Eagles 14-9.