The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles softball team took to the road over the weekend for six big games. When the dust settled, Coach Nathan Hall’s club finished the road trip with a 4-2 mark.
March 19
GAME 1: Alice Lloyd-4; MC- 3
Montreat, NC: The Lady Eagles grabbed a 4-0 lead, and then held on to take the opener.
Things started slow as the pitching dominated the first three innings. However, ALC broke through in the fourth when freshman Baylee Cox singled, and later scored (1-0).
In the sixth, 3 big runs would cross the plate as the visitors used 4 well-placed singles to drive out to a 4-0 advantage.
However, MC would gain 2 runs back in their half of the inning on a 2-run blast (4-2). They then made thing interesting with 1 run in the seventh (4-3), but that was all they would get as the Eagles held on for the win
For ALC, Cox and junior Alyssa Clark led the way with 2 hits each while junior Abigail Stambaugh, drove in 2 RBI’s.
Sophomore Kurston Napier earned the victory on the mound for Alice Lloyd and senior Mckenzie Brewer recorded the save. The two combined to give up 9 hits and 3 runs while striking out 5.
Montreat won the hitting battle, 9-7.
GAME 2: Alice Lloyd- 9, MC- 4
Eight errors were too much for the hosts to overcome as ALC pulled away in the later innings to earn a sweep.
The Lady Eagles jumped out of the gates quickly when senior Jada Estep reached base on a passed ball, and promptly stole her way to third. An error then brought her in (1-0).
In the third, 2 runs scored, with a triple from sophomore Lyndsey Adkins being the big blow (3-0).
The home squad tied thing up in their next at bat when 3 singles brought the runners in (3-3).
The Cavalier celebration was short-lived as ALC plated 4 big runs in the fifth. Two crucial errors helped bust the game open (7-4).
Montreat got 1 run back on a homer in their half of the inning (7-4) only to see the Pippa Passes club score 2 insurance runs in the seventh (9-4). Cox’s double proved the decisive blow.
For the Eagles, six players had 1 hit apiece. Sophomore Alexis Morris and freshman Mackenzie Methax both drove in 2 runs.
On the mound, Cox went the distance, allowing only 7 hits and 4 earned runs. She whiffed 6 batters.
Alice Lloyd won the hitting battle 7-6, and played error-free ball.
March 20
GAME 1: Alice Lloyd-9; JU- 10
Knoxville, TN: The Lady Eagles jumped ahead 9-4 before falling in a high-scoring affair.
Things started on a good note for ALC as they opened by scoring runs in every inning until the fifth.
A triple from sophomore Lindsey Adkins helped to open the day with 2 quick runs (2-0). After JU tied things, Abigail Stambaugh put the visitors ahead in the second when her double knocked in a run (3-2).
In the top of the third, 3 singles produced 2 runs for the Lady Eagles (5-2), but Johnson matched them in their half of the inning (5-4).
The Caney Creek club looked to be in good shape after a huge 4-run fifth. 4 singles and a doubled led to the harvest of runs (9-4).
Unfortunately for the away fans, JU rallied with 2 in the fifth (9-6) and 4 in the sixth to take the lead (9-10). A 3-run blast did the damage.
Down to their last hope, the Lady Eagles would get some life when Adkins doubled down the line with two outs, but the tying run remained stranded on base as the contest ended.
For ALC, who won the hitting battle 14-11, Adkins finished 4-5. Methax finished 3-4 with 3RBI’s.
Napier took the loss on the mound for Alice Lloyd.
GAME 2: Alice Lloyd- 5, JU-8
The Lady Eagles led 3-1 before JU came back for the sweep. Johnson jumped out of the gates quickly with 1 run in the opening inning (0-1).
In the top of the third, 2 singles and a double from Methax led to 3 runs (3-1). Unfortunately, in their next at bat, the Royals came right back with 4 runs of their own (3-5). They then added an insurance run in the fourth (3-6).
ALC attempted to rally in the sixth when Samantha Sturgill tripled and scored on a single from sophomore Napier (4-6), only to watch JU plate 2 in the bottom half of the inning (4-8).
Down to their last chance in the seventh, Alice Lloyd rapped two singles to score 1 (5-8), but they would get no closer.
For the Eagles, Methax, Sturgill, and senior Jada Estep each had 2 hits, while junior Alyssa Clark added 2 RBI’s.
On the mound, Brewer suffered the loss. She recorded 5 strikeouts and allowed 8 unearned runs.
Alice Lloyd lost the hitting battle, 10-11.
March 21
GAME 1: Alice Lloyd-13; JU- 2
A new day gave new life to the Lady Eagles as they dominated game one by scoring in every inning.
Things started right when Adkins blasted a 2-run homer in the first at bat (2-0). One inning later, sophomore Elizabeth Mcintosh cleared the fence with a solo shot (3-0).
After JU scored 1 of their own (3-1), Alice Lloyd struck again with 2 more in the third. 2 singles and a Clark double brought in the runs (5-1).
The Lady Royals cut 1 run off the lead in the bottom of the inning (5-2), but in the top of the fourth, the Lady Eagles opened the floodgates. In that inning, 4 singles, and a double from Sturgill produced 7 big runs. Suddenly, the Pippa Passes crew led 12-2. One inning later, the score read 13-1 after Adkins doubled, then scored on a Cox single (13-2). That effectively ended the contest.
For the Eagles, Methax, and Cox smashed 3 hits apiece while Adkins, Sturgill, Estep and Clark added 2 each. Six different batters drove in 2 RBI’s in the hit-fest.
On the mound, Brewer was solid, going the distance. She allowed 8 hits, but just 2 earned runs. She also recorded 3 strikeouts.
Alice Lloyd dominated the hitting battle, 15-8.
GAME 2: Alice Lloyd-8; JU- 4
ALC fell behind 0-3 before roaring back to earn the sweep.
JU pitched well early and pulled out to a 0-3 lead after four innings of play. They appeared to be in good shape. However, for the second straight contest, the Eagles unleashed a huge inning.
In the top of the fourth, the Lady Eagles put their first runner on base, and then saw 2 score when Morris uncorked a homer (2-3). The blast seemed to un-nerve the home club as they proceeded to commit 4 errors. By the time the at-bat finally ended, ALC had scored 6 runs, and led 6-3.
One inning later, Morris rapped a double that led to 2 more runs (8-3). The Royals could only plate 1 more run in their final at bat as ALC pitching slammed the door shut.
For the Eagles, Morris smashed 3 hits with 3 RBI’s, while Sturgill and Clark added 2 hits each.
On the mound, Brewer was solid, going the distance. She allowed 8 hits, but just 2 earned runs. She also recorded 3 strikeouts.
The hitting battle was tied at 10-10, but 6 errors by the hosts proved fatal.