Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team opened the 2022 season on their beautiful new field against a powerful Concordia University (MI) squad. Concordia finished 3rd in the country last season, so the stiff competition would be a tough early test for the blue and white. Following is a recap of the series.
February 11th
Game 1
Alice Lloyd-2; Concordia (MI)-11
Alice Lloyd opened the game on a positive note as they scored a run in both the second and third inning.
In the bottom of the 2nd, they scored 1 run on an error (1-0). One inning later, sophomore Cannon Ferrell belted a double to plate another run (2-0).
Concordia would knot things in the fourth on the strength of a single and home run (2-2). They then blew the game open in their next at-bat with 8 big runs (2-10), then added their final run in the seventh (2-11).
Freshman Chase Conley started on the mound for ALC, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 3.1 innings of work. He stuck out 5. Three different Eagles pitched in relief, permitting 9 runs and 9 hits.
Joe Taney took the win for CU in relief action. His club had three pitchers combine to toss a 3-hitter.
At the plate, sophomores Noah Dingess and TJ Mullins both added singles to the cause.
The visitors outhit the Eagles 11-3 to pull away.
Game 2
Alice Lloyd-0; Concordia (MI)-13
Concordia scored 10 runs in the first two innings to win going away.
The Michigan club would use 5 hits for 5 runs in their first at-bat, then ride 2 long bombs to produce 5 more runs in the second (0-10).
They would score 1 run in each of the next 3 innings (0-13). In the meantime, their pitching would keep the Eagle bats in check as they were never threatened in this one.
Freshman Dawson Beckett started on the mound for ALC, allowing 8 runs on 8 hits in 1.2 innings of work. He stuck out 5. Two other Eagles pitched in relief, permitting 5 runs and 9 hits.
Tyson Kleinfeltner took the win for CU. His club had four total pitchers combine to toss a 3-hitter.
At the plate for ALC, sophomore Kason Hofsess smacked a triple.
The visitors outhit the Eagles 16-3 to take the sweep.
February 12th
Game 1
Alice Lloyd-0; Concordia (MI)-7
Alice Lloyd opened the game with solid pitching but was not able to produce the big hits they needed.
TJay Mullins reached base in the opening inning on a walk, then stroked a triple in the third. Unfortunately, he was left stranded on base each time.
Eventually, in the fourth, the Michigan club scored two with a double (0-2). They then added to their bounty with 4 crucial runs in their next at-bat (0-6).
The Eagles’ best chance came in the sixth with two singles, but once again, the big hit they needed was just not available. The hosts then went down in order in the seventh to complete the contest.
Freshman Kent Damron went four innings and took the defeat. He allowed 5 hits and 3 runs during his mound-work.
At the plate, Cannon Ferrell smacked a pair of singles.
The visitors outhit the Eagles 12-6.
Game 2
Alice Lloyd-1; Concordia (MI)-16
Concordia scored 16 runs to earn the series sweep.
The Michigan club would break open a scoreless contest in the third as they used 6 hits to plate 6 runs (0-6). They would add 1 run in the fourth and 2 more in the fifth.
The Pippa Passes boys earned their lone run in the fourth when junior Chase Madden doubled and scored on freshman Isaiah Beckett’s single. Unfortunately, 2 runners would remain stranded on base.
In the sixth, CU salted the game away with a big 7-run blitz, powered by 5 hits (1-16). They then slammed the door shut the remainder of the way.
Junior Peyton Branham started on the mound for ALC, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits in 2.2 innings of work. He stuck out 2. Five other Eagles pitched in relief, permitting 10 runs and 12 hits.
Jacob Henry took the win for CU, as he allowed 6 hits in four innings. His club had two other pitchers allow only 1 more hit.
At the plate for ALC, six players added singles.
The visitors outhit the Eagles 16-7 to take the series sweep.