Alice Lloyd Baseball drops tri-match to Shawnee State University

Pippa Passes, KY: On April 6^th-7th, the Alice Lloyd College Eagles baseball team played host to Buckeye state foe Shawnee State University in a three-game series. The blue and white would play hard before falling in a sweep. Their record now stands at 16-24 (3-15 RSC), while SSU, who is tied for third in the conference, now sits at 17-19 (11-7 RSC).

Game 1

SSU-8; ALC-7

The Trailblazers earned their first runs of the game on a two-RBI single in the first (2-0). However, the hosts quickly answered.

In the bottom of the first, singles from Cory Jefferson (2B), Carson Tate (SS), Aaron Rothballer (1B) and Joey Johnson (RF) led to a pair of runs, and tied the contest at 2-2.

In the fourth, ALC ripped off four big runs. After an error and pair of walks loaded the bases, Tate connected on a fast ball and sent it over the left field fence for a grand slam. The Pippa Passes crew now led 6-2.

 Shawnee earned a pair of those back in the fourth, aided by an error (6-4). Then, in the fifth, a double, single and two-run blast propelled them to an 8-6 advantage.

In the Eagle sixth, Rothballer singled to reduce the deficit to one (8-7). That score would hold until the ninth.

In their final at-bat, Alice Lloyd would place two runners on base with just one out. However, needing one big hit to tie or take the victory, the final two batters both drove long fly balls, which were caught by the center fielder, to end the match just short.

For the day, ALC recorded 11 hits, with Rothballer going 3-5 and Jefferson, Tate and Johnson all rapping 2 hits. Tate had 4 RBI's while Rothballer added 3.

 On the mound, Dawson Beckett started and suffered the loss. He allowed 7 hits and 8 earned runs with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks in six innings of work.

In relief, Jacob Ayers went three innings, allowing just 1 hit.

In the other dugout, SSU overcame being outhit, 11-8 (with a homer and double) and committing more errors, 2-1.

Game 2

SSU-4; ALC-2

In the first inning, a grounder gave Shawnee a 1-0 lead. Then, in their very next at -bat, a balk, double and single gifted them three more runs. This lifted them to a 4-0 advantage.

In the meantime, the Caney Creek crew would only manage four hits through six innings as they could never get any offense going.

Finally, down to their final chance, the Bluegrass boys responded. In the seventh, after the first two batters went down in order, consecutive singles from Grover Maynard (LF), Layne Masters (1B) and Johnson, delivered a score (4-1). That was followed by a hit-batsman, which brought in the second score, 4-2.

Now with the bases loaded, and the tying run on second base, the next batter hit a hot grounder that the pitcher was able to corral. His throw to first was in time, ending the contest.

For the day, ALC recorded 7 hits (all singles) compared to SSU's 9 hits. Masters and Naylen Turner (2B) each had an RBI.

Gibbs Cochran suffered the defeat on the mound. He went the distance, allowing 9 hits and 3 earned runs with 2 KO's and 1 walk.

Both clubs committed 1 error.

Game 3

SSU-10; ALC-3

The Buckeye school dented the scoreboard in the third when they layered a pair of triples to deliver a 3-0 lead.

They repeated the process in the next inning as they received an assist from the Eagles. Two hit batsmen and an error permitted three more runs to score. Now, they led, 6-0.

SSU added another score in the sixth when a double and error delivered the goods (7-0).

Finally, for the Eagles, Anthony Bailey (CF), TJay Mullins (LF) and Johnson would account for two scores with singles (7-2), just to see the Bears utilize a double in the seventh to gain a run back, and move up 8-2.

The Buckeye team would cap off their scoring in the ninth, striking with a two-run blast to pull ahead, 10-2.

Down to their final opportunity, with two away, the home team did send a runner across the bag as Tate singled in a man (10-3). Shortly afterwards, Shawnee would end the game by inducing a ground out.

For the contest, ALC recorded 6 singles with Johnson, Mullins and Tate all providing a RBI.

On the mound,  Sunny Smith threw four innings, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. Trenton Williams relieved 4.2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs with 1 KO, while Chase Conley retired the final batter of the day.

The victors recorded 9 hits and saw ALC commit more errors, 3-2.