Alice Lloyd Baseball Eagles Participates in Smokies Challenge

Kodak, TN: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team journeyed to the beautiful Smokey Mountains to play a three-game set in the Great Smokies Challenge. The Eagles would face Kentucky Christian University, Trinity International (IL), and Johnson University (TN).

March 7, 2023

GAME 1

Alice Lloyd-2; Kentucky Christian-12

In the challenge opener, KCU jumped out to a solid lead and pulled away for the win.

The game was scoreless until the second. In that at-bat, the Knights would place two runners on base, then clear the bags with a rare inside-the-park homerun (3-0).

The status-quo remained in effect until the fourth. At that time, a single and wild pitch drove in a couple of scores (5-0). However, the major damage was done a few batters later when a shot cleared the right field wall and brought in three more men. Suddenly, the score read 8-0.

ALC dented the scoreboard in the fifth. In that inning, Noah Dingess (1B) knocked a single to plate one run, and was followed by a double from TJay Mullins to score another. Unfortunately, the rally ended with runners on base.

Any hopes of an Eagle comeback were thwarted in the top of the sixth when KCU utilized three well-placed singles to drive in four big scores. (12-2). After that, they would close out the contest to take the victory.

The hosts registered 7 hits on the day with the Mullins double being the only one to go for extra-bases. He was joined by Dingess with 1 RBI each.

On the mound, Lucas Combs started and took the loss. He lasted 3.2 innings (facing 22 batters) allowing 7 hits and 8 earned runs. He was relieved by Jacob Lovell and Brady Carrico.

Lovell faced 10 batters in 1.2 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs while Carrico faced 7 batters in 1.2 innings, giving up 2 hits. The trio combined to whiff 5 batters.

The victors produced 13 hits to ALC's 7 and committed 2 errors compared to ALC's 1.

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-7; Trinity-10

The Pippa Passes Eagles led until the last inning, before falling to the Illinois club.

The Eagles scored one run in each of the first five innings. In the first, a hit batsman brought in a score (1-0), while in the second, a fielder's choice plated the run (2-0).

In the top of the third, Trinity lined a triple to cut into the lead (2-1) but the Eagles gained it back in their next at-bat when Mullins ripped a double and later scored on a single from Caleb Horton (2B) (3-1).

In the fourth, Nicholas Collinsworth (CF) singled then trotted home when Ryan Cozart (SS) matched him (4-1).

Trinity did some damage in the fifth when a double, a single, and 2 key stolen bases led to 3 scores (4-4). Fortunately, ALC would immediately answer when Corey Jefferson (C) belted a triple to break the tie (5-4).

Things remained as-is until the final inning. In the seventh, with the score unchanged and two outs, TI got a massive break. A ground ball was misplayed for an error, and led to a run; the game was suddenly tied (5-5). Then, two hit-batters and 2 singles would produce 5 huge runs. Just like that, ALC trailed 10-5.

Down to their last attempt, the Eagles started well when after an out, a single, a triple from Mullins, and an error produced 2 runs. Unfortunately, the momentum quickly died when a pop-up and a strikeout ended the day.

Alice Lloyd racked up 7 hits on the day compared to Trinity's 9. Mullins had 2 of them, both for extra-bases. Five different Eagles had an RBI.

Trenton Williams started the game for ALC. He went 4 innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits. He whiffed 3 batters and walked 2. Matthew Hebar entered to face 12 batters. He gave up 3 hits and 2 runs, with 2 K's.

Alex Acey suffered the loss, allowing 1 hit and 4 runs. Will Gladson faced the final two batters.

The Eagles committed 2 errors compared to TI's 4 and left 5 runners on base.

March 8, 2023

Game 3

Alice Lloyd-7; Johnson- 6

The Eagles took the final contest as they scored the winning run in their last-at-bat.

JU opened the contest scoring 2 right out of the box, aided by a single and fielder's choice (2-0).

The Pippa Passes posse answered immediately. After Dingesssingled, Mullins continued his good series by lacing a triple to deliver a run (2-1). Then, Cole Bishop (C) drove him in with a single (2-2).

Johnson regained the advantage with a run in the third and two more in the fourth (5-2), but ALC responded once more. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Challen Massengill (RF) singled to plate one (5-3). Then, after loading the bases, Beckett cleared them with a timely double. Now, the Pippa Passes crew led 6-5.

However, the Tennessee squad tied the contest in the seventh on a fielder's choice. When Alice Lloyd could not produce a run in the bottom half, the matchup headed to extra-innings.

In the eighth inning, JU went down quickly, giving the Caney boys another opportunity. 

ALC would strike by loading the bases, bringing Horton to bat. He would draw a walk from the pitcher and Cozart would trot home to seal the hard-fought victory (7-6).

Alice Lloyd recorded 13 hits on the day with Cozart socking 3, and Mullins, Beckett, and Massengill rapping 2 each. Beckettled the way with 3 RBI's.

Caleb Justice started on the mound and went 3 innings. He allowed 5 hits, and 2 earned runs, while striking out 2 batters and walking 2. Nick Van Keuren went 1 inning giving up 2 scores with 1K. Peyton Branham went the final 4 innings and earned the win. He allowed 3 hits, 1 run, and whiffed 4 batters.

The victors took the hitting battle, 13-8, which allowed them to overcome the only 3 errors of the day.