Alice Lloyd Baseball Eagles host Rio Grande University for three-game series

Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team returned home to face the Rio Grande University Red Storm in a three-game conference series on April 1st-2^nd. When the weekend had ended, the visitors had managed to take the sweep. ALC's record now stands at 11-21 (0-14 RSC), while Rio moves to 14-19 (7-8 RSC)

April 1, 2023

GAME 1

Alice Lloyd-1; Rio 20

In the series opener, Rio exploded in the fourth to take the big win.

 RGU scored two runs in both the first and third innings. In the first, a single and long fly ball drove in the scores (2-0), while in the third, a fielder's choice and steal at home plate delivered two more (4-0). However, they would blow the game open one inning later.In the fourth, the Ohio club used a 3-run homer, two doubles, several singles, a hit batter, and two wild pitches to score at will. When the dust finally settled, 13 massive runs had crossed the plate (17-0). A pair of singles over the next two innings permitted three more visitors to reach home (20-1) before the hosts would finally strike pay dirt.

The Eagle bats, which were stymied all game long, finally delivered a score that came in the bottom of the sixth. In that at-bat, Ryan Cozart (DH) hit a grounder that brought in the run (20-1). Unfortunately, that would be all they could muster as the contest soon ended.

The Pippa Passes squad registered just 4 hits on the day, with shortstop Kizer Turner's triple and left-fielder TJay Mullins's doubles being the only extra-base hits. However, both were left stranded on base.

On the mound, it was just a tough day all around. Dawson Beckett went 3.2 innings and allowed 7 hits and 9 earned runs while walking 4. He also whiffed 1 batter. In relief, Trenton Williams, Matthew Hebar, and Lucas Combs combined to allow 8 more hits and 10 earned runs, with just 1 strikeout. They combined to register 12 walks and hit 3 batters.

 The victors pounded 15 hits to ALC's 4, and the home squad committed both errors committed on the day.

April 2, 2023

GAME 2

Alice Lloyd-3; Rio-12

The Ohio squad jumped out to a quick lead and made it stand to take the middle game of the series.'

The game started rough for the Eagles as a Rio double and single-plated three in the opening inning (3-0). In the very next inning, the Rio squad utilized three singles to plate four runs. They now led 7-0. ALC looked to retaliate in the fourth when Mullins teed off on a fastball and drove it over the left field fence (7-1). However, that rally quickly fizzled. In the fifth, RGU got a gift run on an error (8-1) before the Caney Creek boys struck again. In the bottom of the inning, Corey Jefferson (C) tripled to drive in a score (8-2), then he raced home on Dawson Beckett's (DH) grounder (8-3). However, that rally would soon die out as well. From that juncture, the Red Storm managed to scrape up two runs in both the seventh and eighth inning to increase their cushion (12-3) as they put the contest away.

Alice Lloyd recorded 6 hits on the day, with Noah Dingess (1B) gaining two. Mullins and Jefferson had the only extra-base hits, while Mullins, Beckett, and Jefferson each had 1 RBI.

 Chase Conley started the game for ALC and suffered the loss. He went five innings, allowing 9 hits and 7 earned runs. He whiffed 1 batter. Jason Frye came on in relief in the final four innings and allowed 4 hits and 3 earned runs, with 3 K's.

 The home club was outhit, 13-6, but did themselves no favors with 6 errors.

Game 3

Alice Lloyd-1; Rio-4

The final game of the series was a battle, but the Ohio club held on to sweep the series.

The Red Storm opened the game with a single to produce a run (1-0), but the Caney crew quickly answered. In the bottom of the first, Caleb Horton (2B) singled, then advanced to second. Mullins then promptly laced a single to left to bring him in and tie the game at 1-1. RGU broke the tie in the third with a fielder's choice (2-1). They then gained more breathing room in the fifth with a two-run shot over the fence (4-1). This would actually end the scoring on the day. Both pitching staffs did a good job and, unfortunately, ALC could not produce the timely hit when they needed it to mount a comeback.

Alice Lloyd was contained at the plate as they only produced 3 hits. Centerfielder Nicholas Collinsworth's double was the only extra-base hit, while Mullins had the lone RBI. Peyton Branham started on the mound and went six solid innings, allowing 8 hits, with 4 earned runs. Caleb Justice tossed a clean final inning, only registering 1 walk with 0 hits.

Rio took the hitting battle, 8-3, but the Eagles had 5 costly errors that hurt immensely.