Alice Lloyd Baseball Eagles Split with Kentucky Christian

\Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team returned to the friendly confines of Mullinax Field to face the Kentucky Christian University Knights in a doubleheader. It was a tale of two completely different games. The Eagles dominated the opener with high-octane offense, only to drop a pitcher's duel in the second. ALC's record now stands at 11-18, while KCU stands at 13-19.

March 29th, 2023

Game 1

Alice Lloyd-16; KCU-3

The Eagles unleashed their big bats to blow the game apart and take the opener.

ALC broke out from the get-go as Cory Jefferson (SS) led off the Pippa Passes first with a shot over the left field wall (1-0). The second run would score when, with the bases loaded, KCU's pitcher hit the batter and delivered a run (2-0). Then, with the bases still loaded, Cannon Ferrell (CF) doubled to the right to bring all three of his mates across the home. Just like that, it was 5-0.

In inning thee, KCU would earn a run back when a fielder's choice plated one (5-1). However, the bottom of the inning saw the hosts unleash their full power.

In the bottom of the third, the Caney Creek clubbers spaced five singles around a Dawson Beckett (DH) double in a blitzkrieg of action and used them to bring home ten massive runs. When the third out was finally registered, the home squad had a commanding 15-1 cushion.

Alice Lloyd scored their final run in the fourth when TJay Mullins (LF) singled to score another (16-1).

Finally, in the seventh, the Knights socked a two-run shot (16-3), but the comeback was quickly squashed as the home fans were treated to a nice victory.

In addition to Jefferson's homerun and 3 RBIs, Beckett, Noah Dingess (1B), and Ferrell all doubled. Ferrell led everyone with 5 RBIs.

On the mound, Will Gladson went the distance to record the easy win. In 7 innings of work, he allowed 7 hits and 3 earned runs, with 3 strikeouts. His squad played error-free ball.

Game 2

Alice Lloyd-2; KCU-3

The Knights turned the tables in Game 2 with solid pitching to earn a series split.

In the second inning, KCU dented the scoreboard first when a double drove in a Knight baserunner (1-0). However, the Eagles would quickly respond.

In the bottom of the third, a walk placed Caney Creek runner Kizer Turner (3B) on base. He later advanced to third. Then, a crucial error by the Grayson squad enabled him to race home, and knot the score (1-1).

Nothing would change until the top of the fifth. At that juncture, Kentucky Christian would place a runner on base. He would then score on an important two-run blast over the right field wall. Suddenly, the visitors led, 3-1.

The hosts went down quietly in both the fifth and sixth innings. Finally, in the seventh, the Pippa Passes team looked to mount a comeback. Caleb Horton (2B) led off the inning and promptly belted a fastball over the left field fence (3-2). Momentum definitely appeared to be on the Eagle's side.

Alas, after a pitching change, the Knights promptly put down the next three batters, which enabled them to walk away with a split on the day.

ALC only registered three hits for the game. Horton knocked a homer and triple, while Dingess registered a single. Horton added the sole RBI.

On the mound, Jason Frye took the loss, despite pitching a solid outing. He allowed 5 hits and 3 earned runs, with 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. Peyton Branham relieved the final two innings and retired all six men he faced.

KCU won the hitting war, 5-3. They committed 2 errors compared to the Eagles 1. Unfortunately, the 2-run blast proved to be the difference in the matchup.